2020 Chateau la Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Clavelles

Chateau La Nerthe was established in the 12th century and earned a reputation for outstanding wines almost immediately. The chateau’s wine had such an international reputation that records exist showing that wealthy businessmen in 18th century Boston ordered Chateau La Nerthe. Today the 225-acre estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape is considered the most significant property in the appellation and it is owned by the Richard family, who bought it in 1985. The Richard family also runs a negociant business. La Nerthe makes nearly 300,000 bottles of red and 40,000 bottles of white annually. Though all of the estate’s wines are highly rated, the Cuvee des Cadettes is produced only in outstanding vintages and is entirely from old vines. A second label is Clos de la Graniere.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the appellation, is a large area of nearly 8,000 vineyard acres centered around the picturesque town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Located in southeastern France just north of the Avignon hills, the name of the appellation means “new castle of the pope” and it is a reference to the 14th century, when the Popes of Avignon built summer homes in the Southern Rhone Valley. Today the appellation is one of the most renowned in France and its terroir is known for layers of small pebbles, called “galets.” The stones in the soil are thought to help store heat and keep the soil warm, which helps ripen the grapes. The stones also help keep the soil from drying out in hot summer months. In 1923 Châteauneuf-du-Pape was a leader in establishing the idea that AOC wines in France should be made only with specified grapes, and the appellation allowed 13 grape varieties to be used. Since then the rules have been slightly modified to include several more allowable grapes. Red and white wines are produced, though in practice about 97% of all Châteauneuf –du-Papes are reds made with a blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvedre, Muscardine, Syrah and Vaccarese. The red wines of this appellation are prized for being big, rich, spicy and full-bodied. White wines of the appellation are made with Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picpoul and Picardin. Whites are floral, fruity and relatively full-bodied.