Châteauneuf-du-Pape „Cuvée des Cadettes“ Rouge AOC 2017

Wine Description for Châteauneuf-du-Pape „Cuvée des Cadettes“ Rouge AOC 2017 by La Nerthe

Colour & Appearance

Deep, youthful ruby red with violet reflections – scarcely a sign of maturity, despite the wine already having several years under its belt. A promise of longevity.

Nose

The bouquet is of striking intensity and complexity: ripe red cherries, candied wild strawberries and raspberries macerated in spirit meet seductive notes of milk chocolate, caramel and cloves. Fine smoke and tobacco accents lend depth and Southern Rhône seriousness to the nose. The heat and dryness of the 2017 vintage has noticeably concentrated the fruit without sacrificing elegance.

Palate

The entry is silky and full-bodied, carried by lush, ripe berry fruit that immediately asserts itself. Behind this unfolds bay leaf, pipe tobacco and a complex spice layer. The tannins are pronounced, yet wrapped in remarkable silkiness – a testament to the co-fermentation of the three varieties and the careful maturation in large wooden vessels and barriques. Despite the considerable 15% alcohol, the wine strikes an astonishingly balanced and harmonious note.

Finish

Long, warm and spicy, with lingering notes of dark berries, cinnamon and tobacco. The finish confirms the enormous potential of this wine – there is far more to come.

Terroir & Origin

The Cadettes come from the oldest parcels of the estate, immediately below the Château, on sandy-loamy soils – one of Châteauneuf’s most complex soil formations. These vineyard sites lend the wine both finesse and structure.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Blend of 59% Grenache Noir, 31% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, from vines over 85 years old. Hand-harvested, spontaneous fermentation in large wooden vats, three weeks of maceration, malolactic fermentation and twelve months maturation in large wooden vessels and new barriques.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A wine for the grand table: braised lamb shoulder with Provençal herbs, wild boar ragout, beef pot roast with truffle jus or a robust cheese from Southern France such as Roquefort. Also an excellent choice with grilled entrecôte.

Special Features

The Cuvée des Cadettes is the flagship of Château La Nerthe – a wine that expresses the soul of the Southern Rhône valley in its most concentrated form. Despite its opulence, it possesses the structure and substance for decades of ageing. Accessible now, yet rewarding to cellar well into the 2040s.