Château La Nerthe : Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 from Château La Nerthe

Tasting notes

Colour

The wine reveals a deep ruby colour with slightly purplish highlights, hinting at a dense body without excessive concentration.

Nose

The nose opens with an intense bouquet of ripe black and red fruit, led by cherry and strawberry and enhanced by notes of garrigue, thyme and black pepper. A floral touch of violet and lavender completes the palette, along with subtle meaty nuances that add depth to the whole.

Palate

The attack is silky, carried by a mouthwatering, generous flesh and a lovely fruity sap. The structure, medium to full-bodied, is underpinned by fine, well-integrated tannins, while a balanced freshness runs through the entire tasting to a long, spicy and persistent finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine will pair ideally with roasted or slow-cooked meats, such as leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary, as well as game bird dishes served in a sauce. It also goes very well with Mediterranean cuisine rich in herbs, based on grilled or confit vegetables, and finds a fine echo in well-matured hard cheeses, such as an aged Comté or a characterful tomme.

Serving and cellaring

We recommend serving the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 from Château La Nerthe at around 16-18°C, decanting it about an hour before tasting to allow its aromatic bouquet to express itself fully.

A Châteauneuf-du-Pape from a Pioneering Organic Vineyard

The estate

Château La Nerthe traces its origins to the Grange de Beauvenir, acquired in 1560 by the Tulle de Villefranche family in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in the Rhône Valley. The estate has belonged to the Richard family since 1985, who undertook the restoration of the vineyard and buildings. A pioneer of organic farming in the appellation, certified as early as 1998, Château La Nerthe today cultivates a vast vineyard surrounding its château. Its winemaking history is associated with Joseph Ducos and the tradition of multi-grape blends.

The vineyard

The Château La Nerthe vineyard extends over nearly a hundred hectares, spread across numerous plots within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The vines, farmed organically, grow on a mosaic of soils combining sand, marl and clay-limestone, covered in places with rolled pebbles that store the heat of the day and release it during the night. Natural springs on either side of the château complete this terroir.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape was characterised by a hot, very dry and early year, with a marked rainfall deficit and an early harvest. The rains in mid-August and September nevertheless helped the grapes ripen. These conditions produced reds with beautiful colour, structure and generous ripeness.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 from Château La Nerthe are vinified plot by plot. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, accompanied by gentle pumping over and punching down, for a maceration of about three weeks. Ageing then takes place, depending on the lot, in foudres, barrels, demi-muids and tanks. Each plot is aged separately before the final blending, which preserves the purity of the fruit while adding structure and complexity.

Grape varieties

The blend of this red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is made up mainly of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.