Château La Nerthe is one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and extends over 220 acres around the castle. Cuvée des Cadettes is not a selection made in the cellar, but a wine crafted from a unique, 20 acre vineyard planted with 85 to 100 year old vines. The plots that make up this Cuvée are mainly based on sandy-clay soils which provide outstanding quality tannins. This Cuvée is co-fermentated, hand harvested and hand sorted. Alcoholic fermentation occurs directly after maceration, with wild yeast native to the vineyard. The intensity of pumping over and punching down is defined by tasting the fermenting juice to ensure the best extraction of the berry compounds. Maceration lasts 3 weeks and the wines are racked into concrete tanks for malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged 12 months in 100% small French oak barrels and blending takes place shortly before bottling.
Dark garnet color with purple hints. The nose shows black cherry liqueur aromas with toasted notes and fruity scents of strawberries and balsamic. On the palate, beautiful richness, density and concentration of sandalwood, cedar, and cherry blossom are followed by a spicy finish. The aromatic complexity and elegance are both qualities that reveal the richness and balance of La Nerthe.
Grapes: Grenache, Mourvèdre & Syrah/Shiraz