Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge AOC 2016

A dense, dry red wine from the 2016 vintage, bringing together the Mediterranean warmth of the southern Rhône with a clear structure. The 15.0% ABV carries the wine without weighing it down. After ten years or more of bottle ageing, it gains further complexity.

Château La Nerthe farms 92 hectares across 57 parcels on four soil types. 60 hectares surround the château, where sand, marl and clay-limestone soils are scattered with the characteristic galets roulés; 32 hectares lie on the wind-exposed Plateau de La Crau, where a dense clay layer beneath the rolled pebbles feeds the Grenache. Mourvèdre grows in the moister southern plots. The estate has been fully organic since 1998, without synthetic fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides.

Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and kept separate by parcel. The destemmed grapes begin with a gentle cold maceration and ferment spontaneously with natural yeasts; extraction is managed through careful pump-overs or punch-downs in the cellar. Ageing lasts twelve months in a variety of vessels, from barriques to stone tanks, still kept separate by parcel. Only afterwards does Rémi Jean compose the blend.

Powerful and dense, with ripe black cherry, plum and dark berries, alongside garrigue herbs and fine spice. The tannin is velvety, carrying the wine through to a long, spicy finish.

With braised beef, herb-crusted rack of lamb and saddle of venison. A dark mushroom tart also suits this wine well.

The first estate in the region, La Nerthe was already bottling its wine from 1782. All 13 grape varieties permitted under the appellation grow on the estate. Its own bottle bearing the coat of arms has existed since 2001.