Chateauneuf du Pape Clos de La Graniere 2009 is dense purple in colour, with brooding dark fruits and earthy spice on the nose, leading onto a palate of forest fruits, black pepper, and some savoury notes of garden herbs and game. Prominent tannins, perfect for pairing with warming winter stews.

Château La Nerthe dates back to the 1560s, making it one of the oldest estates in the region, and undoubtedly one of the finest. The 90 hectares of vineyards (as old as 100 years but averaging 50 years) all cultivated organically, are mainly planted with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre and  yield a maximum of 25 hl/hectare. The grapes are manually harvested at precisely the moment of full ripeness. Following  two to three weeks' fermentation in stainless steel or wooden vats, the malolactic fermentation takes place in 17th century stone tanks beneath the Château. The blended wine is then aged in small oak barrels or foudres.