Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf du Pape 2022

Château La Nerthe is one of the historic founding estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône of France, with a history reaching back more than four hundred years to a region long favoured by the popes. This organically farmed red blends Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The appellation is famous for its galets roulés, large rounded stones that cover the vineyards, storing the day's heat and releasing it overnight to drive the full ripening of Grenache in a warm Mediterranean climate. Warm ripening builds the ripe fruit and higher alcohol typical of the style. The wine ages in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannins and adds spice, while the Mourvèdre lends structure and a savoury depth. The colour is deep red. The nose shows ripe plum and cherry with black pepper, liquorice and the wild garrigue herbs of the region. The palate is full and warming, generous in fruit with rounded tannins, spice and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, beef and game.