The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition, a blend of 56% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, and the rest Cinsault and other grapes, is much softer and more accessible without nearly the depth of the 2005. It is a dark plum/garnet color with a big nose of dusty, loamy soil notes intermixed with red and black fruits and hints of herbs, pepper, and mineral. It has excellent texture and is soft, ripe, and ideal for drinking over the next 7-10 years. Because of the use of small barriques, especially 100% of them for the top-notch Cuvee des Cadettes Chateauneuf du Pape, I suppose it’s popular to say that La Nerthe is a modern style of Chateauneuf du Pape, but I would prefer to use the word “progressive.” That’s largely because this is an estate where the new oak is not overdone, due mostly to their use of so much Mourvedre and Syrah in the final blend. In fact, other than Beaucastel and Clos St.-Michel, La Nerthe is the only other estate in Chateauneuf du Pape to use so much Mourvedre in their wines, which obviously provides structure. Moreover, the Mourvedre can handle barriques.Importer: Clicquot Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 888-7575