OK – I dropped the bag on this one. I tasted and reviewed this wine on Earth Day back on April 22, but it got lost in my notes and I just found them.
For Earth Day we celebrated with a 2007 Chateau La Nerth Chatealuneuf du Pape. This wine hails from one of Chateauneuf’s oldest estates located in the heart Chateauneuf-du-Pape region of southern France. The 225 acres of Chateau La Nerthe vineyards are located in a single block around the Chateau and have been certified organic since 1998.
The soil is sandy clay and on the surface there is a layer of galettes, large, well worn stones that originated in the Alps and were carried down to the Rhone by the glaciers of the previous ice ages. All 14 of the permitted varietals are planted in this vineyard with Grenach dominating 62% of the vines. The average age of the vines are 40 years old.
The wine, dark ruby purple filled glass with aromas of dark fruit, herbs and spice. A palate full of blackberry, black currants, black cherry with a hint of dates towards the finish and soft tannins. The finish…my favorite with some black pepper spice.
*Disclaimer: I received this as a sample from the importer.*