One of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s oldest estates, archives affirm Château La Nerthe’s existence as early as 1560 and suggest an even more distant past dating to the dawn of the region’s wine culture in the 12th century. An Iconic producer whose wines are considered a benchmark with each vintage released.
The 2014 vintage is what is commonly called a “vintner’s vintage”, in the sense that the work done in the vines all along the seasons was a key factor to achieve a great result. The working year – which started early in the spring and finished late in the autumn - was an exhausting year, where experience and anticipation proved to be precious allies to produce beautiful grapes.
Les Granieres features hand picked, fully ripe grapes, that are balanced and have full aromatic expression and certified AB Organic. They are sorted on a table then destemmed. The maceration begins with a phase of cold pre-fermentation of 12 to 24 hours. Then alcoholic fermentation occurs, temperature controlled throughout. When secondary fermentation is complete, the wine is racked into casks for ageing before the blending is completed. 41% Grenache Noir, 25% Syrah, 20% Cinsault and 14% Mouvèdre aged 78 % in large wooden vats and 22 % in small barrels.
Wine Enthusiast scored this 91 points saying "Vanilla and cinnamon from barrel-aging play a role here, but there's also plenty of juicy, plum-tinged fruit. There's ample body and texture, capped off by supple tannins and a lingering finish."
Wine Spectator scored this 92 points saying "A focused, restrained style, with a long thread of shiso leaf and incense running through the core of kirsch and raspberry coulis flavors. A pretty mineral edge guides the finish."