With the Cuvée des Cadettes 1998, Château La Nerthe presents the most prestigious red cuvée of this historic Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate. Sourced from selected old-vine parcels on calcareous, stony soils, the wine derives added structure and savoury spice from an unusually high proportion of Mourvèdre. In the 1998 vintage, the blend consisted of 39% Grenache, 37% Mourvèdre, and 24% Syrah.  

Today, the 1998 vintage displays profound aromatic depth. The bouquet unites black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry with kirsch, smoke, graphite, and mineral notes, joined by mature nuances of earth, leather, dried herbs, and dark spices while the fruit remains remarkably concentrated and pure despite its age.  

On the palate, the Cuvée des Cadettes 1998 possesses an exceptionally dense, powerful texture. Ripe and succulent dark fruit is carried by vibrant acidity and firm, now well-resolved tannins. Mourvèdre shapes the structural frame with savoury, earthy, and subtly smoky nuances, while Grenache contributes richness and warm fruit generosity. On the long finish, black berries, minerality, cocoa, spices, and balsamic tones converge into a deeply persistent finale.

The Cuvée des Cadettes 1998 ranks among the standout vintages of this bottling, impressively uniting Mediterranean generosity with classic structural poise. Over extended bottle maturation, its youthful power has evolved into complex tertiary aromas and a more supple texture without losing any of its core substance—a grand, mature Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée that captivates today through depth, savouriness, and extraordinary length.