2003 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes

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Wine Spectator | Rating: 93
Lots of flashy bacon and mocha toast aromas and flavors lead the way, with good plum and black cherry fruit behind it. Has a sweet, silky texture through the exotic finish, and will have lots of fans for its lush, modern approach. 1,165 cases made.
Author: James Molesworth
Wine Advocate | Rating: 91
The luxury cuvee, the Cuvee des Cadettes, is the only Chateauneuf du Pape completely aged in 100% new oak, a la many Bordeaux and Burgundies. The 2003 is an outstanding wine but somewhat of a letdown after what I tasted from cask. A 1,000+-case blend of 47% Grenache, 36% Syrah, and the rest Mourvedre, the wine has a deep purple color, a sweet nose of graphite, toasty new oak, cassis, and black fruits. In the mouth, it is medium to full-bodied, revealing more rugged tannin than it did last year as well as aggressive new oak. Nevertheless, there is impressive concentration, but the 2003 is not up to the level of the brilliant 2001 or 1998, the two finest Cuvees des Cadettes I have tasted. In short, it seems to have tightened up and taken on a far more tannic personality than it had last year.
Author: Robert Parker

Self | Rating: 91
Dark reddish-orange color. Showing a little age on the rim already. Expressive nose of black cherries, smoke, leather. Entry is very nice and full with the same dark fruit as the nose. Unfortunately the acidity shows up right away followed by the grippy tannins and it falls apart quickly. This has potential to be really good, but by the time it opens up the tannins take over and it just never comes together for me. I will wait awhile to open my other bottle in hopes that it will integrate more.This was an enjoyable wine with local braised beef for dinner, but by itself it was just too much acidity and tannin. Disappointing for the price tag.
Drink Dates: 2013-2020
Author: richie g
Self | Rating: 94
An alluring, quite strong nose of milky raspberry, wild strawberry, some dusty cocoa and vanilla (from the 100% oak this wine was raised in), and warmed gravel. Well balanced with excellent length on the finish. Plenty of tannin and acid but not worrying amounts of either. A really lovely wine that Parker underrated substantially from the bottle. I'd buy more of this wine.
Drink Dates: 2008-2020
Author: Daniel B
Self | Rating: 92
Menthol nose. Cola on palate. Medium finish. Moderate tannins.
Author: Mike N296

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