" We don't sell the wine without touching the vine "
Wine from La Nerthe
Filter
Wine grapes have been grown at the estate since the 1500s, making it one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
POINTS OF DISTINCTION
- Exceptional, sloped terroir with soils of sandy-clay and a layer of large, round, well-worn galet stones
- All the terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in a single estate
- All 13 of the permitted primary varietals are planted
- Average vine age over 40 years old
- Certified AB Organic since 1998
- A veteran, acclaimed winemaking team and a rich, unique history
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.
Showing 1 to 1 of 1 (1 Pages)
Sort By:
Show:Products per page
Display: List / Grid
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.
Food Pairing: To drink with lamb or beef stew with ‘grand veneur’ sauce, duck fillet.
- One of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape - dates from 1560
- Estate grown, hand harvested, estate bottled
- Average vine age is 40+ years
- Certified AB Organic
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
Showing 1 to 1 of 1 (1 Pages)
- back
Selected Options
Wineries
Categories
Pricing
Countries
Regions
Grape Types
Wineries
Organic/Free Shipping
Force Majeure Epinette is made from 79% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot .
Epinette is Force Majeure's Right-bank Bordeaux-inspired blend, and was named after an avenue in Libourne (France) that leads to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, the home of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Epinette is also the name of a musical instrument akin to a piano, as well as a word for pine tree, which is a fitting nod to their home in Washington state.
The wine itself is a blend of primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, proportions of which change depending on the vintage. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grown in lower areas of the vineyard with deep, well-drained soils, much less rocky than the soils of our Rhone varietals.
Review:
The 2018 Epinette is the Merlot-dominated release from this team, and it's 79% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, all from the estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Lots of smoky black cherry and darker currant fruits as well as notes of chocolate, graphite, lead pencil, and chalky minerality emerge from the glass, and this full-bodied beauty is beautifully textured, with a stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and a blockbuster finish. It's up with the finest Merlots in the New World and will drink brilliantly for at least a decade, if not longer.
Previously known as Grand Reve, Force Majeure has skyrocketed to the top of the pyramid in Washington State, in no small part due to their talented winemaker, Todd Alexander, who moved from Bryant Family in Napa to Washington State to focus on this estate. While the focus is on their Red Mountain Vineyard, they make a bevy of world-class wines from throughout the Columbia Valley. Anyone doubting the quality coming from Washington State these days owes it to themselves to try these wines.
-Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Brize Clos Medecin Anjou Villages Rouge is made from 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This is the flagship of the Estate. Clos Medecin has been produced at the estate for 90 years. All the grapes for this wine come from a very special parcel. The wine offers red fruit aromas. It is fresh, round and ample in the mouth.
©2025 Timeless Wines. All rights reserved
