Clos du Mont Olivet
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.
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017
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
Clos Mont Olivet 'Cuvee Papet' Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2016
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Blanc Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2016
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2016
Wine Spectator 93 "Solid, with a ripe core of raspberry and plum pâte de fruit flavors that sparkles with detailed anise, apple wood and sweet tobacco
Clos Mont Olivet 'Cuvee Papet' Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2015
James Suckling 96 "This is 70% grenache with the remainder equal parts syrah and mourvèdre. Aromas of ripe raspberry, red plum and cherry, with herbs, pepper
Clos du Mont Olivet Le Petit Mont 2015
Vinous Media 90-92 "Brilliant ruby. Musky cherry pit and ripe red berries on the fragrant nose. Sappy and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy, spice-tinged raspberry
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2015
James Suckling 94 "A beautifully crafted wine that has a deeply fragrant rose and red berry nose. The purity of grenache sings brightly. In the mouth
Clos du Mont Olivet 'VV' Cotes Du Rhone 2014
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2014
Vinous Media 91-93 "Dark ruby. Ripe blackberry, cherry and potpourri aromas are sharpened by a peppery nuance. Fleshy, broad and seamless in texture, offering juicy dark
Clos du Mont Olivet Le Petit Mont 2014
Vinous Media 90-92 "Vivid ruby. Spice-accented red berry and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of candied flowers, garrigue and smoky minerals. Juicy raspberry and bitter
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Le Petit Mont 2013
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013
Vinous Media 91-93 "Dark ruby. Ripe blackberry, cherry and potpourri aromas are sharpened by a peppery nuance. Fleshy, broad and seamless in texture, offering juicy dark
Clos Mont Olivet 'Cuvee Papet' Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012
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.
Clos Mont Olivet Font Blanche Cotes du Rhone 2012
Stephen Tanzer 90 "(57% grenache and 43% syrah): Bright ruby. Intense black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by olive and black pepper; really
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011
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,
Clos du Mont Olivet Le Petit Mont 2011
Stephen Tanzer 90 "Bright red. Lively red berry and spice aromas and flavors, with a subtle smoky nuance gaining strength with air. Sappy and
Clos du Mont Olivet 'Cuvee Papet' Grenache 2010
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Le Petit Mont 2010
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010
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
Clos du Mont Olivet 'Cuvee Papet' Grenache 2009
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneu Grenache 2009
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
Clos du Mont Olivet 'Le Petit Mont' Grenache 2009
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
Clos du Mont Olivet Cuvee Pape Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007
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