2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos de Beauvenir Ch. La Nerthe

Fermented and aged in demi-muid (44%) and new barriques (56%) for nine months. It has fine, fresh, lifted aromas of pear, fennel and honeysuckle. It's not as oaky as previous years, and the lively, full-bodied palate is punctuated by a light, fresh fruit character with a long finish, making for a much more drinkable wine. Certified organic. Drinking Window 2018 - 2026.

Den aldmindelige La nerhte har syltet ingefær, røget overmoden pære og forfriskende syre, men minder mest af alt om hvid fadlagret bourgogne. Imødekommene og frisk. Kun 13,5% alkohol. Clos de Beauvenir er citrongul, lindehonningsduftende, dieselolie med ctirtongræs, golden delicious-skal, vaniljetilsmagt Pærekompot, flødeundertone og antydet skalbitterhed til sidst plus fantastisk stenet lethed.... Selvom det er contraductio in adjecto. Beauvenir består næsten udelukkende af Rousanne og Clairette, men har normalt et skvæt bourboulenc med i bourgognefadene hvor gæringen foregår ved lav temperatur, og efterfølgende ligger den 8-9 måneder med Fine gærrester. Storslået repræsentant for den blokerede malostil.

Bonfire smoke, cinnamon, tangy green apple and loads of mineral persistence with well- integrated vanilla spice. Dry, fibrous feel on the finish. Loads of substance and intensity here. (RH) 13.8% Drink 2017-2022 .

Offering more of everything, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Clos de Beauvenir is much more interesting. Made from a unique blend of 79% Roussanne and 21% Grenache Blanc, it boasts terrific notions of caramelized lemons, citrus blossom, brioche and crushed rocks. Rich, textured and balanced, with vibrant acidity, it's a terrific white I'd happily drink anytime over the coming decade or more. I continue to find the wines from Chateau la Nerthe outstanding, however, the shift towards leaner and leaner wines is troubling.

One of the few whites from the appellation I would be confident in aging is La Nerthe's 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Clos de Beauvenir. It's roughly 80-20 Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, fermented and aged in demi-muids and barriques, yet it is tight and focused. Stone fruit, melon and tangerine on the nose give way to notions of honey and bergamot on the palate. 2019 - 2030.

Deep lurid ruby. Intense red fruit preserve and floral pastille aromas develop suggestions of exotic spices, vanilla and woodsmoke in the glass. Sappy and deeply concentrated yet energetic as well, offering palate-staining blackberry and cherry compote flavors that are given spine and focus by a core of juicy acidity. Conveys a suave combination of richness and elegance and finishes extremely long and sweet; supple tannins sneak in slowly to add framework and grip.