The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape blanc seems to be slightly more muted but is still an excellent example of white Chateauneuf du Pape, with notes of white flowers, honeyed citrus, and a medium-bodied, dry, crisp finish. The luxury cuvee (only 500 cases) is from a single vineyard, the Clos de Beauvenir. Manager Alain Dugas, who has done such a superb job at La Nerthe since 1998, told me that they decided not to produce a Cuvee des Cadettes in 2007 because several of their old vine Mourvedre parcels were adversely affected by the year’s drought. Perhaps that is to their benefit, as the single cuvee that will be offered is a superb one. While La Nerthe has always made one of the best white wines of the appellation, it is worth noting that the very tiny production of white Chateauneuf du Pape continues to show encouraging progress almost across the board, as non-malolactic and cold fermentation techniques seem to be producing much more fruit and character in the wines. Importer: Clicquot Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 888-7575