Berry Bros. and Rudd: Château La Nerthe is one of the oldest producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The château itself was built in the 18th century, but winery records stretch back as far as 1560.
The Richard family – which also manages various other estates in Beaujolais, Bordeaux and elsewhere in the Rhône – owns the estate. La Nerthe boasts 90 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, two-thirds of which surround the château, while the final third is located on the famous plateau of La Crau. All the vineyards are farmed organically.
The soils here are a mixture of sandy clay and marl, as well as the typical galets roulés. The property is fortunate to have a natural spring within its grounds, which is incredibly beneficial to the vines in this often drought-prone region.
Although the property has plantings of all 13 of the appellation’s permitted varietals, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah dominate the red blend. The estate has one of the highest proportions of white vines in the region and produces a special white cuvée – Clos de Beauvenir – from the clos directly in front of the château.
Since young and dynamic winemaker Ralph Garcin joined the estate in 2016, small yet significant changes have been made here. Ralph has introduced vinification by plot, investing in smaller fermentation tanks and larger ageing vessels to showcase the quality of the fruit in the cellar. He’s also been making improvements to their viticultural practices, such as introducing organic farming.
Kobrandwineandspirits.com: Château La Nerthe is in contention for being one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Historical documents from 1560 mention the estate. The historic Château was built in 1736. Château La Nerthe deserves credit for being one of the first estates to bottle their own wine. This took place to some extent starting in 1784. Château La Nerthe is one of the first, if not the first estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape to export their wine outside of France. Another first that belongs to the estate is that Château La Nerthe began the practice of destemming 100% of their vines in the 1800’s. By this point in time, Château La Nerthe was the most expensive wine from the Southern Rhône.
In 1870, the Tulle de Villefranche family sold the property to the Joseph Ducos family. The sale took place in part, because of the devastation caused to the vineyards by Phylloxera. The Ducos family maintained ownership of the property until 1941 when Château La Nerthe was bought at an auction by the Leclerc and Motte families. Following World War 11, the spelling for the estate was changed. Instead of Château La Nerthe, the estate was renamed, Château La Nerte. Please note, the “h” was dropped.
By 1985, Château La Nerthe had become dilapidated and was put up for sale by the Dereumaux family. The following year, in 1986, the property changed hands. The new owners of La Nerthe are the Richard family in a partnership with David and Foillard negociants. A complete renovation of the estate took place and much of the vineyards were replanted. The new owners changed the spelling back to what it was by adding back the “h.” The new labels once again displayed the original spelling of Château La Nerthe. In 1991, Château La Nerthe was able to expand their holdings with the purchase of 54 acres of vines, which helped to create one of the largest estates in the Southern Rhône with 222 acres under vine. Starting with the 2015 vintage, Ralph Garcin was placed in charge of the estate and its winemaking. Ralph Garcin previously worked for Jaboulet in Hermitage.
Château La Nerthe - Points of Distinction
Kobrandwineandspirits.com: Exceptional, sloped terroir with soils of sandy-clay and a layer of large, round, well-worn galet stones.
All the terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in a single estate.
All 13 of the permitted primary varietals are planted.
Average vine age over 40 years old.
Certified AB Organic since 1998.
A veteran, acclaimed winemaking team and a rich, unique history.
The Wines we Tasted
We tasted 4 wines.
2017 Château La Nerthe AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
littlebroswine.com: This large (92 hectares), historic estate produces ample, fleshy white Chateauneufs that provide lots of immediate appeal but also possess the depth to reward patience. The traditional bottling is raised in a combination of stainless steel tanks for Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc, and oak barriques for Roussanne, some of them new. The star white here is the Clos de Beauvenir, which is sourced from a single, walled plot just south of the Chateau that is planted mostly to Roussanne and Clairette, along with bits of Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc. It is consistently a knockout and is built to age, but be warned, only about 250 cases are made, on average, per vintage. - From Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc: 2016 & 2017 (Oct 2018) by Josh Raynolds
2015 Les Cassagnes de la Nerthe Côtes du Rhône Villages
Alcohol 13.50%, Unoaked
25% Grenache Blanc / Garnacha Blanca
25% Roussanne
50% Viognier
2015 Château La Nerthe AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - There's almost 20% new oak in this 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape, which gives it an overlay of exotic toasted coconut and vanilla aromas and flavors. Beyond that, there's ample weight, hints of cinnamon and clove and cherry fruit that lingers on the silky finish
2013 Château La Nerthe AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France (Already Released and Forthcoming Postings)
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Cellar Tasting, including from Barrel, at Domaine Éric Texier in Charney, with Laurence Texier - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Dinner at Le Bouchon des Filles in Lyon - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France
Cellar Tour, Tasting and Vineyard Drive at E. Guigal in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Tasting at Maison Clusel-Roche in Ampuis, Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Tasting at Domaine Georges Vernay in Condrieu, Northern Rhône, with Owner Paul Ansellem-Vernay - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Dinner at Hôtellerie Beau Rivage in Condrieu, with Chef Chef Ludovic Mounier - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Maison Delas-Frères in Saint Jean de Muzols, Saint Joseph, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Lunch at Restaurant La Grappe d’Or in Saint-Péray, with Chef Pierre Yves Jacques Sébastien - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Tasting at Vins Jean-Luc Colombo in Cornas, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Paul Jaboulet Aîné in Tain-l’Hermitage, Hermitage, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tasting at Domaine Laurent Habrard in Gervans, Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, with Owner and Winemaker Laurent Habrad - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Combier in Pont de l’Isère, Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, with Laurent Combier - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Lunch at La Grand Table de Michel Chabran, 1-star Michelin, in Pont d l’Isère, Northern Rhône, with Chef Michel Chabran - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Les Bruyères in Beaumont-Monteux, Northern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker David Reynaud - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine La Martinelle in Lafare, Ventoux, with Owner/ Winemaker Corinna Kruse Faravel - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Lunch at Restaurant Le Mesclun in Séguret, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting, including from Barrel, at Domaine Marcel Richaud in Cairanne, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Claire Richaud - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Tasting, Dinner and Overnight Stay at Domaine de Cabasse, Séguret, Southern Rhône, with Owner/ Winemaker Benoît Baudry - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Lunch at Restaurant Le Dolium (Rhonéa Vignoble Coopérative) in Beaumes-de Venise, Southern Rhône - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Vineyard and Cellar Tour and Tasting of Wine and Olive Oil at Mas Saint Berthe, Les Baux de Provence, with Winemaker Christian Nief - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Dinner and Overnight-stay at Hôtel/ Restaurant Benvengudo in Les Baux de Provence - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine du Pégau in Châteauneuf du Pape, with Owner/ Winemaker Laurence Féraud and Winemaker Andreas Lenzenwöger - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Lunch at Pont du Gard - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine de la Mordorée, Tavel, Southern Rhône, with Owner Ambre Delorme and Winemaker Rémy Chauvet - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique in Courthézon, Châteauneuf du Pape, with Owner Véronique Bonnet and Owner/ Winemaker Eric Bonnet - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
Tasting at the Caveau of the Perrin Family in Châteauneuf du Pape
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château la Nerthe, Châteauneuf du Pape
Wine-pairing dinner at Restaurant Château des Fines Roches, with Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet
New Year’s Eve at Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France