2019 Chateau la Nerthe Côtes du Rhône Les Cassagnes Rouge

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.

The Southern Rhône Valley wine region extends from Orange in the north through the communes Lirac and Tavel in the southwest. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Méridionales and it includes some of the best known appellations in France, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. The climate and landscape of the Southern Rhone differ significantly from the Northern Rhone. There are hot, often windy Mediterranean appellations near Nimes and the south, and higher altitude, relatively cool appellations such as Côtes du Ventoux to the east. Understanding the region can be confusing given that there are thirteen appellations and sixteen red and white grapes allowed for wines with appellation status. Syrah is grown here, but it is much less important than in the north. Grenache is the prominent red grape, though most red wines are blends of at least four varietals. Other commonly used red grapes are Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Muscardin. Counoise, Terret Noir, Vaccarèse and Syrah are also permitted. The primary white grapes are Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc, though Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted, as are Picpoul and Picardin. Of note is the Côtes du Rhone Villages AOC, which is only in the Southern Rhone. Though Côtes du Rhône AOC wine is made in both the north and south, the Villages appellation has stricter requirements for winemaking and is generally considered higher quality than simple Côtes du Rhône. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “There is a vast amount of enjoyment to be discovered in the southern Rhône…for these are some of the most sumptuous and pleasure-giving wines produced in the world.”