2012 CHATEAU LA NERTHE CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE CUVEE DES CADETTES 1.50L

Cuvee des Cadettes is not a selection made in the cellar but a wine crafted from a unique 20 acre vineyard planted with 85 to 100 year old vines. This Cuvee is a cofermentation of hand harvested and hand sorted grenache syrah and mourvedre. The cuvasion begins with cold pre-fermentation maceration lasting 12 – 24 hours. Alcoholic fermentation occurs directly after maceration with wild yeast native to the vineyard. The intensity of pumping over and punching down is defined by tasting the fermenting juice to ensure the best extraction of the berry compounds. Maceration lasts 18 to 20 days and the wines are racked into concrete tanks for malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged 12 months in 100% small French oak barrels and blending takes place shortly before bottling.

HARVEST NOTE
2011-2012 winter was very cold and dry. February started with two weeks of freezing temperatures and a strong mistral wind gusting up to 62mph. This weather negatively affected the vineyard with many buds being partially or totally destroyed and numerous old vine stocks freezing. Spring was cool and humid with rain that restored the groundwater levels. Summer was very dry in the region unlike the rest of France. The two very hot weeks during mid-August helped finish ripening the grapes and harvest began at the end of August. This was another early harvesting year and the volume harvest was small due to the winter frost coulure in the Grenache and the dry summer.
TASTING NOTE
Dark garnet color with purple hints. The nose shows black cherry liqueur aromas with toasted notes and fruity scents of strawberries and balsamic. On the palate beautiful richness density and concentration of sandalwood cedar and cherry blossom are followed by a spicy finish. The aromatic complexity and elegance are both qualities that reveal the richness and balance of La Nerthe.
FOOD PAIRING
A wonderful pairing with red meat dishes especially beef lamb and venison. An ideal accompaniment to hearty casseroles or a rich warm winter stew.
TECHNICAL DATA
GRAPES: 39% Syrah 37% Grenache 22% Mourvedre
APPELLATION: Rhone
ABV: 14%
POINTS OF DISTINCTION
Produced by one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s oldest and most storied estates
Certified AB Organic – protecting the environment since 1998
Estate grown hand harvested estate bottled
Average vine age – 85+ years