Chateau de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Wine, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau de Nalys History, Overview

Chateau de Nalys takes its name from the original founders of the estate who owned the property in the 1700s. The domain was confiscated during the French Revolution, broken into smaller parcels, and sold at auction.

In the modern era, Domaine de Nalys came to be known for producing quality wine under the direction of the Dufays family, when it was owned by Dr. Philippe Dufays.

Philippe Dufays improved their wine-making practices and increased the size of the de Naly vineyards to almost 80 hectares. Under the direction of Philippe Duffay, Domaine de Nalys became one of the earliest producers in the Southern Rhone Valley to bottle and market their own wine. This began taking place as early as 1955.

After the tragic death of his son at a young age, Philippe Dufays split up the vineyards of Domaine de Nalys. In 1976, he sold 50% of the estate to the Groupma Insurance Company and the rest of the vineyards were sold to different growers and winemakers active in the appellation.

Domaine de Nalys has from time to time produced private-label blends to order, which has hurt the brand in the eyes of some consumers. In 2005 and 2006, the estate made wine for the giant American retailer, Costco, which was sold under the name of The Kirkland Signature Cuvee de Nalys. In 2005 Les Dix Salmees was made for export to the British market.

Things changed again at Domaine de Nalys in July 2017, when the estate was sold to Domaine Guigal. Isabelle Ogier was retained as Technical Director. The name of the estate was officially changed from Domaine de Nalys to Chateau de Nalys.

Chateau de Nalys Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

Chateau de Nalys has 50 hectares of vines of which 40 hectares are used to make red Chateauneuf du Pape wine and 10 hectares are reserved for making Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.

Chateau de Nalys produces 2 red Chateauneuf du Pape wines and 2 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc wines.

Coinciding with the change in ownership to Guigal, the names and blends changed for the red and white wine of de Nalys starting with the 2016 vintage for the red wine, and 2017 for the white wine.

All work in the vineyards is 100% organic.

Chateau de Nalys Saintes Pierres de Nalys is a blend of 69% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 4% Muscardin, 1% Counoise, 1% Mourvedre, though that can vary, depending on the vintage.

The terroir is from the Nalys, Bois Senechal and La Crau lieux-dits. The vines are on average about 45 years of age. The wines are vinified in stainless steel. For the aging, 90% of the wines are aged in stainless steel tanks, and 10% of the production is aged in old foudres.

Chateau de Nalys Grand Vin is usually a blend that averages close to 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 4% Counoise, and 1% Vacarese. Though it varies depending on the vintage. The vines are planted in 3 different terroirs.

You find red sandstone and sandy clay, with some limestone in the Nalys lieu-dit. In the Bois Senechal vineyard, you have small rocks, stones, and sand. In La Crau, where 50% of the vines are planted, the soils are large stones and rocks. The vies average 45 years of age.

The wine is aged for close to 20 months in demi-muids before bottling. Not much wine is made, as the average is only 400 cases per vintage.

Chateau de Nalys Saintes Pierres de Nalys Blanc is produced from a blend of 36% Clairette, 29% Bourboulenc, 25% Grenache Blanc, 7% Roussanne, 3% Picardan. The wine is aged in 80% stainless steel, 20% in wood for 8 months.

Chateau de Nalys Grand Vin is a blend of 43% Roussanne, 33% Grenache Blanc, 15% Clairette, 6% Bourboulenc, and 3% Piquepoul. The vines are close to 50 years of age. The wine is vinified and aged for 8 months using 70% wood barrels and 30% stainless steel.

The following 3 red wines and one white wine are no longer being produced: Domaine de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape, Reserve, Cuvee Chataignier, and de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.

When to Drink Chateau de Nalys, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau de Nalys can be enjoyed on the young side. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for about 1 hour, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau de Nalys is usually better with 2-4 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages, the wine should be consumed within 4-14 years after the vintage.

Serving Chateau de Nalys with Wine, Food Pairing Tips

Chateau de Nalys is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau de Nalys is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, barbecue, grilled meats, and cassoulet. Chateau de Nalys is also good with Asian dishes, and hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, cheese, pasta, eggplant, and tomatoes.

The white wine of Chateau de Nalys is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork, and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

https://www.nalys.com