TN: 2005 La Nerthe Cuvee des Cadettes

We don’t get out to dinner without the kids much anymore, so when a friend got me a gift certificate to a local-ish restaurant through trickery and subterfuge, it was a good excuse to open something nice. CT had some notes on this saying decant for a while, and I followed suit.

2005 La Nerthe Cuvee des Cadettes Chateauneuf du Pape
Dark garnet and opaque still, with a Bretty-minty topnote then a whole lot of dark fruit and rugged tannins. An hour began to smooth those out somewhat, so off we went to dinner where I had a rack of lamb which was too mild for the wine. This is more cerebral than pleasurable right now and reads more Bandol than CdP. The oak hasn’t entirely resolved, but it’s good oak at least - it’s balsamic and exotic spices and tobacco. Even though this is almost half Grenache, there’s no honeyed aromas or red fruit to be seen. Lots of hard black fruit, olives, and bloody meaty notes here. After 24 hours, the last sips were finally softening, so for now - hold. maybe 7-10 years?

Thanks,

Zachary