Nearly 20,000 cases were made of the regular cuvee of 1990 red Chateauneuf du Pape, a blend of 55% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 8% Cinsault, and the rest Muscardin and other Rhone varietals. It possesses a tight, backward nose. There is a brilliant, spit-polished ruby color, a tannic, compact palate, and plenty of acidity and tannin in the somewhat lean finish. Prior to bottling, this was an outstanding (potentially 90-93 point) wine. In the past, the Chateau La Nerthe also made a luxury cuvee called Cuvee des Cadettes. Under the new management, this luxury cuvee of old vines has been reintroduced. It now consists of a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah. Seventy percent of the production is aged for 12 months in new oak casks. It is a bigger, richer wine that should have significantly more aging potential than the regular cuvee. Importer: Veuve Clicquot Imports, New York, NY.