The wines of this estate, which traces its history back to 1547, are among the finest of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Run by the esteemed Sabon family, Clos du Mont-Olivet is made in a traditional style: partial destemming of grapes, crushing and fermenting in concrete vats, and aging in large foudres.
Making wine is a family affair at Clos du Mont Olivet, and the three Sabon brothers -- Jean-Claude, Pierre and Bernard have run the domaine for the last 30 years, with Bernard's son Thierry gradually assuming winemaking duties, starting gradually in 2001. The wines are composed predominantly of Grenache (usually around 80%), with Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault completing the blend. The vines of this estate average over 60 years old.
The 29-hectares of Chateauneuf du Pape that the domaine holds (they also have 17ha of Cotes du Rhone vineyards) is made up of many small parcels, spread throughout the appellation, that vary in size between 21 ares and 3 hectares. Montalivet is a walled vineyard to the east that surrounds the domaine and features the Sabons' oldest vines. Since 1990, these grapes have formed the basis for the deluxe "Cuvée Papet" – an amazingly concentrated and complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Further north, Le Pied-de-Baud contains "galets roulés," the large oval rocks for which Châteauneuf-du-Pape is well-known. Although the vines here are younger, the spherical stones reflect the intense southern-Rhone sun, thereby ripening the grapes to full maturity. The third primary section of vines, located to the south, is known as Les Gallimades, a plot of smaller stones and gravel with excellent drainage.
Blending wines sourced from these three areas, the Sabons fashion complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape that combines the fruit intensity and alcoholic strength of Grenache with a slight and appealing hint of rusticity. It only makes sense that such a renowned Châteauneuf producer would also make fabulous Cotes-du-Rhone, which indeed they do; year after year, these are among the best Cotes-du-Rhone values to be found.
Decanter 95 "There's no Cuvée du Papet (their top cuvee) this year as yields were too low, so all that fruit went into this wine
Jeb Dunnuck 100 "Another best to date, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet from Thierry Sabon is pure perfection in a glass. More powerful than
Tasting Notes Lovely from the get-go, with bright quinine, honeysuckle and white peach flavors that give way to fuller salted butter, yellow apple and green fig
Robert Parker 95 "Needing more patience, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Papet (75% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and the balance Syrah aged in foudre) comes
Stephen Tanzer 94-96 "Brilliant ruby. Spice- and mineral-accented red fruits and lavender on the intensely perfumed nose. Juicy, focused and pure, with excellent depth
Wine Advocate 99 "Possibly the finest example of the Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Papet since Mont Olivet’s unreal 1990, the 2010 is a blend of
Wine Advocate 90 "More structured, rich and layered, the 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a beauty. Loaded with dark cherry, leather, mineral, licorice and roasted herbs, this medium-bodied,
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 "Deep ruby. Lively aromas of fresh red berries, potpourri and Asian spices, with a hint of blood orange adding an exotic flourish.
Stephen Tanzer 90 "(57% grenache and 43% syrah): Bright ruby. Intense black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by olive and black pepper; really
Wine Spectator 91 "Features a solid core of kirsch and crushed plum fruit, augmented by red licorice, shiso leaf and singed sandalwood notes. Offers a fine-grained
Wine Spectator 93 (Top 100 2007) "Restrained, with serious structure underlying the raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors, this shows alluring perfume and a minerally spine on
Wine Spectator 95 "Has lots of grip, with a very stony undertow carrying notes of wet pebble, sweet earth, licorice, coffee and fig. Pretty lavender and
Wine Spectator 95 "Has lots of grip, with a very stony undertow carrying notes of wet pebble, sweet earth, licorice, coffee and fig. Pretty lavender and
Wine Spectator 93 (Top 100 2007) "Restrained, with serious structure underlying the raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors, this shows alluring perfume and a minerally spine on
Stephen Tanzer 95 "Ruby-red. Intensely perfumed, floral-dominated bouquet of red and dark berries, kirsch, rose and incense; if the '05 smells like Chambolle, this one is
International Wine Cellar 91-93 "Explosive, spicy raspberry and dark cherry liqueur aromas and flavors show striking purity. From a five-year-old Allier barrique: Darker fruits, with solid
Wine Spectator 93 "Plush and forward, with a dusting of mocha leading the way for plum sauce, blackberry and currant fruit, all followed by coffee and
Robert Parker 96 "The explosive, pedal-to-the-metal, super-duper 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape La Cuvee du Papet has an even darker ruby/purple color, with a glorious intense nose
Robert Parker 90 "The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape kicks up the intensity ever so slightly. It has a darker ruby hue and an elegant nose of
Stephen Tanzer 92 "Vivid ruby-red. Expressive aromas of strawberry, raspberry, pungent herbs and spicecake. Seamless red fruit preserve and rose flavors show a smoky quality
Stephen Tanzer 91 "Bright ruby. Spice-accented red fruits on the nose and palate, with notes of smoky herbs and minerals adding complexity. Juicy and
Robert Parker 90-92 "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, silky tannins, good acidity, impressive precision as well as aromatic uplift. Similar
Stephen Tanzer 90 "Bright red. Lively red berry and spice aromas and flavors, with a subtle smoky nuance gaining strength with air. Sappy and
Wine Spectator 89 "A pure, graceful style, with cherry, blood orange and damson plum fruit gliding along, accented by light, silky tannins. An iron hint gives
Vinous Media 91 "Brilliant ruby. Ripe cherry and dark berries on the powerfully scented nose and in the mouth. Appealingly sweet black raspberry, cherry compote and
