A cuvee that is just coming on the market at the end of 2004 is La Nerthe's 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Cadettes (a blend of 48% Grenache 26% Syrah 18% Mourvedre 6% Cinsault and 2% miscellaneous grapes) which I reviewed in issue #151. I retasted it on my September visit and rated it 95+. There are only 1000 cases of this spectacular Chateauneuf du Pape. It requires 2-4 years of cellaring but it should keep for two decades.

A racy driven modern-style version with lots of black currant plum blackberry and briar flavors stitched together with suave toast cocoa tobacco and mineral notes. Long fruit-filled finish. Beautifully rendered. Drink now through 2015. 1120 cases made. -JM