
Wine grapes have been grown at the estate since the 1500s, making it one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Château La Nerthe is in contention for being one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The estate was first purchased by the Tulle de Villefranche family in 1560. The historic Château was built in 1736. Château La Nerthe deserves credit for being one of the first estates to bottle their own wine. This took place to some extent starting in 1784. Château La Nerthe is one of the first, if not the first estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape to export their wine outside of France. Another first that belongs to the estate is that Château La Nerthe began the practice of destemming 100% of their vines in the 1800’s. By this point in time, Château La Nerthe was the most expensive wine from the Southern Rhône.
In 1870, the Tulle de Villefranche family sold the property to the Joseph Ducos family. The sale took place in part, because of the devastation caused to the vineyards by Phylloxera. The Ducos family made their mark on Chateau la Nerthe’s history by replanting the vineyard on grafted phylloxera rootstock and by planting new, local grape varieties; 10 of the 13 permitted varietals were planted. The Ducos family maintained ownership of the property until 1941 when Château La Nerthe was bought at an auction by the Leclerc and Motte families.
By 1985, Château La Nerthe had become dilapidated and was put up for sale by the Dereumaux family and purchased by the Richard family in partnership with David and Foillard negociants. Their goal for the estate was to revive the original values of excellence and innovation. A complete renovation of the estate took place and much of the vineyards were replanted. In 1991, Château La Nerthe was able to expand their holdings with the purchase of 54 acres of vines, which helped to create one of the largest estates in the Southern Rhône with 230 acres. In 1998, the vineyard is certified organic. Rémi Jean joined the Chateau la Nerthe team in late 2019 and has been placed in charge of the estate and its winemaking. Rémi Jean has had a long partnership with the Richard Family Wineries, previously worked as General Manager for their Bordeaux properties, Château de Corcelles and Château des Tours.
Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge is made from Grenache 39%, Mourvédre 33%, Syrah 25%, Cinsault 2%, Others 1%.
Château La Nerthe is one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and dates from 1560. Château La Nerthe has 227 acres of vineyards that surround the château and top the renowned La Crau plateau. The terroir is typical of the region. Vineyards run along a slope and grow in sandy-clay soils. The ground is covered by a layer of ‘galets’ – large, round, well-worn stones that were carried down from the Alps by glaciers during the last ice age. All the 13 permitted primary varietals are planted here. Grenache dominates 62% of the vineyards and the average vine age is over 40 years old. The grapes are hand harvested and sorted on tables. The grapes are then put into vats for almost 4 weeks with regular pump overs and punch downs. The must is tasted every day during fermentation to ensure the best extraction of the berry compounds. At the end, the wines are racked into oak vats for malolactic fermentation. The cuvée is then aged in large French oak casks and barrels for 12 months before blending. Bottling takes place 6 months later.
The dark, deep, inky color of the wine shows immediately, stemming from the concentration of the vintage. Nose of blackcurrants, black tea and dried flowers stands out. The mouth is rich, fruity and velvety with an incredibly layered tannic structure. The wine is balanced and pure with strong intense and incredibly long aging potential.
Review:
A focused expression, this wine delivers pure red and black fruits unfolding against a delicate rose-petal backdrop. Silky yet chewy tannins gradually reveal layers of red cherry, pomegranate, spice, violets, and a hint of clove. Its elegance is underscored by fine tannins, suggesting a wine that, while quiet now, holds the promise of revealing its full beauty with time in the bottle. Cellaring through 2028+ before revisiting should prove to be rewarding.
-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
Rudi Pichler Kollmutz Smaragd Gruner Veltliner is made from 100 percent Gruner Veltliner.
Rudi Pichler is among the elite growers of the Wachau producing wines of precision, power, and longevity. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling make up 95% of the production with the remaining 5% shared between Weißburgunder and Roter Veltliner. Rudi Pichler belongs to the prestigious Vinea Wachau and vinifies under the strict parameters of their codex.
Yields are kept low between 30 and 35 hectoliters per hectare with botrytis carefully removed by hand. Grapes are crushed by foot and receive between three and 36 hours of maceration on the skins. Vinification is entirely in stainless-steel tanks and malolactic fermentation is avoided.
Kollmütz is a terraced vineyard in Wösendorf sitting between 200 and 400 meters of elevation. The soils of Kollmütz developed from an ancient landslide resulting in chaotic layers of rock and boulders. The vineyard is particularly rich in magnesium and iron. Wines from Kollmütz are typically linear, dense, and intensely mineral in character.
Grüner Veltliner is the signature grape of Austria and produces a dry white wine with savory aromas, spicy flavors, and good acidity. Grüner Veltliner Smaragd from the Wachau is a full-bodied wine and is rich in style with notes of stone fruit, lemon, radish, and arugula.
Review:
I have heard gruner veltliner dismissed for supposedly not being elegant, but this is an extremely elegant example! Very complex nose of snow peas, green beans, wild herbs and green pepper. On the medium-bodied palate, this remarkable gruner veltliner has a discreet succulence, but what makes it amazing is the way it glides so gracefully over the palate, then splash lands in a deep pool of wet stone minerality. Underplayed power and concentration!
-James Suckling 97 Points
Ferme Blanche Cassis Blanc Excellence is made from 40% Marsanne, 20% Ugni Blanc, 20% Clairette, 10% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Bourboulenc.
The wine has a pale golden color and offers subtle aromas of citrus fruits, peach and apricot, and floral notes of acacia and linden. Crisp and lively on the palate, good tension and length and a refreshing finish.
Pair with sea stews, shellfish, traditional fish and chips, octopus salad.