1996 CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE Les Cadettes 1996

(02-1999)
There are only 7,000 bottles of the 1996 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Cadettes, which is made from a blend of 46% Mourvedre, 32% Grenache, and 22% Syrah. A small portion of this wine spends time in barrique. The dark rubypurple-colored 1996 possesses a spicy, new saddle leather, raspberry, peppery, earthy nose, medium body, plenty of tannin, a slightly austere finish, excellent purity, good richness, and a serious, muscular style with good grip and structure. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.