Château La Nerthe - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1993
Château La Nerthe is located in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, in the Southern Rhône . The estate has been producing wine since the 12th century, but its reputation has largely been earned by the current owners, the Richard family , who bought the property in 1985. The estate has 92 hectares of vines, divided into 57 parcels and certified in agriculture organic since 1998. The 13 grape varieties authorized in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape red appellation are planted, although production is centered on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
The grapes are sorted in the vineyard and then again manually on the table. The harvest is partially destemmed according to their taste qualities. Each parcel is vinified separately in stainless steel or wooden vats . Vatting begins with a pre-fermentation cold maceration phase of 12 to 24 hours, then fermentation begins spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Pumping over and pigeage, in the form of infusion , ensure a gentle extraction. Fermentation lasts about 3 weeks, then the wines are drained and aged in barrels, demi-muids and tuns .
Grapes: Syrah, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Various grape varieties