Château La Nerthe : Les Granières 2020

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for Château La Nerthe's Les Granières 2020

Tasting notes

Appearance
The colour reveals a beautiful ruby hue, subtly enhanced with garnet highlights.

Nose
Immediately expressive, the nose exudes rich aromas of red and black fruits, such as black cherry, raspberry and plum, intertwined with hints of kirsch. This fruity bouquet is further enriched by notes of garrigue, pepper and sweet spices reminiscent of cinnamon and sandalwood.

Palate
The palate is seductive with its smooth, round and supple texture. Carried by perfectly integrated tannins, it extends the fruity and spicy notes perceived on the nose, culminating in a finish that is warm, well-balanced and thoroughly enjoyable.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine pairs wonderfully with white meats such as veal, pork or poultry, particularly when served with autumnal mushroom sauces. It also enhances oven-roasted vegetables, Mediterranean-inspired dishes, as well as furred game such as wild boar or venison.

Serving and cellaring

To fully enjoy its fruity profile and suppleness, Les Granières 2020 is best served at a temperature of around 16°C. Designed to provide immediate enjoyment, this cuvée is ideally appreciated in its youth, from its earliest years of cellaring.

The fruity, approachable expression of a great Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroir

The estate

Although the site's winemaking history dates back to 1560, the construction of Château La Nerthe was only truly completed in 1784, the year in which the first estate bottlings were documented. Located at the heart of the Rhône Valley, this historic estate has belonged to the Richard family since 1985. Now headed by winemaker Rémi Jean, the property stands out for its pioneering commitment to the environment, combining a centuries-old heritage with cutting-edge agroecological practices to fully reveal the richness of its terroir.

The vineyard

The vineyard spans 92 hectares in a single block within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Certified organic since 1998, it is built upon a mosaic of micro-terroirs and benefits from a Mediterranean climate tempered by the mistral. The presence of natural springs and wooded areas fosters exceptional biodiversity. This cuvée comes specifically from the estate's youngest vines, cultivated with the same demand for precision, including exclusively hand-picked harvests.

The vintage

2020 began with low rainfall, though sufficient to build up water reserves ahead of the summer heat. Rain that fell between late August and early September helped slow the vegetative cycle, allowing for optimal, extended ripening. The harvest, which began in late August, yielded generous grapes in impeccable health.

Winemaking and aging

Crafted to preserve the brightness of the fruit, Les Granières 2020 benefits from careful aging in old barrels and French oak foudres. The complete absence of new oak avoids any excess of aromatic intensity. The wine is then bottled earlier than the estate's other cuvées in order to capture all of its freshness and the suppleness of its tannins.

Grape varieties

This wine is the result of a blend dominated by Grenache, complemented by Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre.