Chateau La Nerthe, Cadettes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010

In most vintages, there are about 1,000 cases of the luxury cuvee, the Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Cadettes. The 2010 a 100% barrel-aged blend of nearly equal parts Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre) exhibits a dense purple color, great acid, ripe tannin and is clearly a modern day classic meant to age for three decades or more. Notes of cassis, blackberries, camphor, graphite and licorice emerge from this full-bodied, pure, intense, super-layered Chateauneuf du Pape. The tannins are sweet, the acidity is fresh, and the pH is a healthy 3.6.

This 2010 should behave somewhat like the brilliant 2001, needing 7-8 years of bottle age, and drinking well over the following 25 years.


One of Chateauneuf du Pape’s classic estates, Chateau La Nerthe’s 225 acres are all located in the southeastern quadrant of the appellation. A property that can trace its history back to 1560, La Nerthe was also one of the first estate bottlers. It was acquired by the Richard family in 1985, and they immediately turned this once run down estate around. Long-time manager, Alain Dugas, has quietly slipped into retirement, turning the estate over to his assistant, Christian Voeux.