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 it offers a fluid, even-paced and smoothly structured impression. Deceptive power, too. Best from 2020."

Vinous Media 91-93
"Vivid ruby. Heady, mineral-laced red berry preserve, spicecake and floral aromas are complicated by suggestions of dusty minerals and pungent herbs. Lively, sharply focused raspberry and bitter cherry flavors become deeper and sweeter with air while picking up a musky licorice nuance. Shows impressive energy and thrust on the sweet, red-fruit-dominated finish, which is framed by supple, slow-building tannins. -- Josh Raynolds"

WINE ADVOCATE 91+
"The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape is a classic example of this estate and it has a tight, focused, nicely structured vibe, with lots of leather, Provençal herbs, pepper and sweet red and black fruits. I love its balance and purity, but like all vintages of Mont Olivet, it will need cellaring to show its potential."

THE WINE
The flagship wine is composed predominately of Grenache (around 80%), with Syrah, Mouvèdre and Cinsault rounding out the blend. The wines are fermented in concrete vats and aged in large foudres. The grapes are partially de-stemmed (usually about 60%). The vines at this estate average over 60 years of age.

The grapes for this bottling are sourced from various lieu-dits from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation: Montalivet, La Crau, Les Blachières, Coste Froide, Bois Seneseau, Palestor, Bois Dauphin, Pied de Baud, Les Bousquets, Les Parrans, Les Marines, Le Bois de la Ville, Cansaud, Les Gallimardes et Les Serres.

THE ESTATE
Clos du Mont-Olivet is a true insider’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape domaine. Often described as a beacon of traditionalism, the Sabon family makes Rhône wines that value freshness and elegance over bombastic prowess. Founded in the mid-16th century, the estate today is run by the dynamic and talented Thierry Sabon, and encompasses parcels of mainly 60+ year old vines in the heart of Châteauneuf. The wines are classical in style, with heady, complex aromatics, and ripe, exuberant, garrigue-laden fruit that tastes of the stones that comprise the fascinating soils of the area. Southern Rhône wines rarely speak so clearly and eloquently of their terroir. It has become quite clear that the quality of Clos du Mont-Olivet has never been higher, and the value represented by their extraordinary lineup stands as a bastion of historic Châteauneuf.

THE PRESS
“One of the benchmark producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape…the consistent results have always been classic Châteauneuf-du-Papes that stand the test of time.”
—Robert Parker

“Clos du Mont Olivet, which is now run by Thierry Sabon, is a brilliant estate that fashions traditional, age-worthy Châteauneuf du Papes that have incredibly broad drink windows.”
– Jeb Dunnuck