2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Ch. La Nerthe

The wonderful property that is La Nerthe has long been in the vanguard when it has come to promote the reputation of the white wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, so often neglected in the fanfare for the reds and, historically, often with good reason, as the wines could be flabby and uninspiring at best, sometimes just plain oxidised. Those days have gone; and the make-up of the encepagement has changed subtly…. aromatic elements (Clairette and Bourboulenc) are now given much greater precedence, adding freshness and an ethereal harmony to the honeyed texture of the Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. The tropical, almost exotic, notes are tempered by a refreshing grapefruit purity on the finish.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)