Learn everything about Clos du Mont Olivet, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone wine producer profile with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles
Clos du Mont Olivet History, Overview
While the Sabon family can trace their roots in the Rhone Valley all the way back to 1547, the formation of Clos du Mont Olivet dates back to 1932. At the time, like many producers in Chateauneuf du Pape, the Sabon’s sold their harvest in bulk to negociants. The vineyard took its name from the pronunciation of a lieux-dit, where many of their vines are planted in, Montalivet.
As we mentioned, the family started off like most producers in the appellation, by selling their harvest to negociants. It was the dream of Seraphin Sabon to turn Clos du Mont Olivet into a world class, Chateauneuf du Pape winery. After the close of World War 2, they finally began bottling and selling their own wine from the domaine.
Clos du Mont Olivet remains another family affair in the Rhone Valley. Today, the estate is managed by 4 siblings, Thierry Sabon, David Sabon, Celine Sabon and Mylene Sabon. They took over from Pierre Sabon, Jean Claude Sabon and Bernard Sabon. They are the children and grandchildren of Joseph Sabon. Joseph Sabon’s name still appears on the bottle.
Clos du Mont Olivet Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking
Clos du Mont Olivet owns 27 hectares of Chateauneuf du Pape vineyards that are well placed,in the northeast portion of the appellation. The majority of their vines are planted mostly to red wine varietals. 2 hectares are reserved for the production of white Chateauneuf du Pape wine.
Much of their Grenache plantings are from vines that are close to 90 years old. Their oldest vines are located on the stony terroir of La Crau. Those Grenache vines are over 100 years old. Those vines are the heart and soul of their Cuvee du Papet. They also own vines on clay soils and terroir with numerous small rocks and stones.
Clos du Mont Olivet is a traditionally managed Southern Rhone Valley estate. Until the early 1970’s, they were still farming using only horses. They bought their first tractor in 1972. Starting in 1997, they began experimenting with destemming.
They liked the results and today, more than 60% of their fruit is destemmed. Fermentation takes place in cement vats and the wines are raised in large foudres or old barrels.
The best vintages of Clos du Mont Olivet are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1998 and 1990.
Clos Mont Olivet produces 3 red Chateauneuf du Pape wines and 1 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.
Clos Mont Olivet Chateauneuf du Pape is the estate’s largest production. Produced from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre and a combination of Counoise, Vaccarese, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Picpoul Noir and Cinsault.
The grapes are planted in a myriad of different soils as the vines are located in several lieu-dits: Blachieres, Bois Dauphin, Bois Seneseau, Les Bosquets, La Crau, Coste Froide, Les Marines, Montalivet, Palestor, Les Parrans and Pied de Baud.
The wine is aged in a combination of vat and foudres. Although a small portion of the wine, about 15% is aged in some oak. This is sold exclusively the American market. The production in total is about 4,200 cases per year. 250 cases are sold to the American market.
Clos du Mont Olivet Cuvee du Papet (Their top of the line wine) made its debut in 1989. The wine is named in hommage to their grandfather, as the name Papet is translated into grandfather. This special Chateauneuf du Pape wine is produced from mostly old vine Grenache. On average, the blend is about 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah.
Many of the vines are over 100 years of age. The oldest vines for this cuvee date back to 1901. Most of the vines for this wine come from parcels planted in various lieu-dits: Bois Dauphin, La Crau, Montalivet and Pied de Baud.
Some of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is aged in vat and demi-muids for about 18 months before bottling. Production is small. On average Cuvee Papet is about 1,000 cases per vintage.
This is truly a very stylish example of Chateauneuf du Pape that is well worth seeking out. However, Clos du Mont Olivet Cuvee du Papet is not produced every year, it’s only made in the best vintages.
Clos du Mont Olivet Petit Mont is made from young their Grenache vines. The blend is usually 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah. The grapes come from vines planted in Les Blachieres and Montalivet, where you find terroirs of sand, clay and small stones in the soil.
The vines range from 30-40 years of age. The grapes are partially destemmed. Vinification takes place in cement vats. 80% of the wine is aged in old foudres, while the remaining 20% is aged in used, French oak barrels. About 175 cases are produced each year.
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is made from a blend of various portions of blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Picpoul, Picardan and Bourboulenc. 80% of the wine is aged in 80% in stainless steel tanks and the remaining 20% is aged in French oak barrels.
When to Drink Clos du Mont Olivet, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time
Clos du Mont Olivet can be enjoyed on the young side. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for between 1-2 hours allowing the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
Clos du Mont Olivet is usually better with 3-7 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages the wine should be consumed within 5-18 years after the vintage.
Serving Clos du Mont Olivet with Wine, Food Pairing Tips
Clos du Mont Olivet is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for an hour so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.
Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Clos du Mont Olivet is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, barbecue and cassoulet. Clos du Mont Olivet is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms pasta, eggplant, tomatoes and cheese.
The white wine of Clos du Mont Olivet is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.
In addition, Clos du Mont Olivet also makes 5 different wines from vines they own in the Cotes du Rhone appellation.
Clos du Mont-Olivet Wine Tasting Notes
31 Vintages 160,350 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating
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2020
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Seductive in nature, the wine offers its ripe center of black raspberries and kirsch with little effort. Medium-bodied, with purity and finesse to spare, you can enjoy this in its youth, or age it for over a decade. Either way, this is quite a success for the vintage. Drink from 2023-2035. 1,326 Views Tasted Jan 27, 2023 |
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2020
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
The distinctive bouquet of roses in the nose is just great. On the palate, the wine is supple, silky and fresh with a core of ripe, kirsch and black raspberries with additional notes of herbs and olives. The finish is equally racy and refined. This will be easy to enjoy on release. Drink from 2022 - 2032. 1,060 Views Tasted Jan 27, 2023 |
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2019
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
It is the silk and velvet textures that steal the show here. One of the most seductive wines in Chateauneuf du Pape hit a home run here. All the layers of sensuously textured red and dark red fruits, purity, elegance, flowers, kirsch, spice and herbs are in full-force on the nose and palate. This is already a pleasure to drink, but a few more years of age will make it even better. Drink from 2024 - 2038 3,882 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
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2019
Clos du Mont-Olivet Blanc (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Rich and energetic, with a core of bright yellow fruits with good sweetness, definition and lift, this is going to be just great on release. Drink from 2022 - 2029 1,117 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
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2019
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fresh, floral and focused on its core of elegant, sweet, red fruits, the wine leaves you with a beautiful, spicy kirsch note that resonates. This will be easy to enjoy on release. Drink from 2022 - 2033 1,974 Views Tasted Jan 9, 2022 |
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2018
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Plush, rich, silky and fresh, with loads of ripe, sweet, delicious red fruits, flowers, spice, earth, herbs, olives and pepper. Medium-bodied, soft and refined, this will offer pleasure almost on release. 2,701 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2018
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Silky, soft, refined and sweet, this medium-bodied, fresh wine is filled with chalky tannins, olives, herbs, red berries and garrigue on the nose and palate. This will be delicious on release. 1,983 Views Tasted Oct 12, 2020 |
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2017
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Soft, forward and juicy, with licorice and herbal accents to the sweet, slightly spiced fruits, this is already delicious and it's going to get better from here. The wine is a blend of at least 70% Grenache and various other allowable grape varieties. 2,712 Views Tasted Sep 21, 2019 |
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2016
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Just a super wine, texturally, the wine is lush, opulent, and silky, as well as vibrant, long, and rich. There is a gorgeous sense of purity to the peppery kirsch and black raspberries that stands out. Drink from 2022-2033. 3,485 Views Tasted Oct 5, 2022Flowers, pepper, black raspberry and kirsch are in your face. Full bodied, soft and polished, the wine is opulent, rich, full bodied, sweet and pure. There is a wealth of fruit here that fills your palate. The fruit is pure and refined, with silky tannins in the finish. 3,744 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2016
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Luscious, forward, spicy, fresh, sweet, black raspberries, plums and cherries taste and feel great. The texture is silky and the fruit on the palate sticks with you long after the wine has left the glass. 3,462 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2016
Clos du Mont-Olivet Le Petit Mont (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Forward, fresh and vibrant, the wine is already delicious with its medium bodied, display of soft, sweet, peppery red fruits. The wine made its debut with the 2005 vintage. 1,509 Views Tasted Sep 18, 2018 |
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2015
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Sexy, silky and sensuous, there is purity to the fruit, length and ripe, polished tannins. The wine has weight, balance, harmony and a plethora of sweet, ripe, red fruits to make this something that tastes as good as it feels. Produced from a blend of 75% old vine Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, the wine reached 15% ABV. 3,465 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
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2015
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, silky and fresh, this medium/full bodied charmer, with all its spicy, red cherry core is already drinking great today. The wine was made blending 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre and various other, assorted grape varieties. 3,674 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018Medium bodied and finesse in style, the wine makes a beeline to its red cherry center. Silky tannins and sweetness in the fruit is the name of the game here. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre and 4% of various, allowable AOC grapes. 2,528 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
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2014
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Light in color, with kirsch, forest and tapenade on the nose, the wine is already quite tasty. Light, elegant and fresh, this is an early drinking, cherry filled charmer. 1,662 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018 |
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2013
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, early drinking styled wine, here you find delicate red fruits, freshness and spicy, kirsch notes with elegant textures and a red cherry finish. 1,273 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018 |
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2012
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Charming in every way, the fruit has a polished texture and freshness that never seems to dissipate or lose its fresh, lush qualities. Produced from a blend of 75% old vine Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, the wine reached 15% ABV. 3,553 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2014 |
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2012
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Jammy kirsch, black raspberry, smoke, thyme and herbs start off the show. The wine is lush, soft, medium bodied and polished. The tannins and textures are elegant, refined, peppery and fresh. This is really drinking nicely at 6 years of age. 2,776 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018Black cherry liqueur in character, with peppery notes and garrigue, the wine is soft, lush and forward. From a blend 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre and 3% Cinsault, the wine reached 15% ABV. 2,857 Views Tasted Sep 10, 2014 |
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2011
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Earthy, smoky soft and sweet, the fruit is hanging in there, but the secondary notes are equally, of not slightly stronger, so you get a sense of pepper, herbs, olives and herbs de Provence. This is charming to drink today, but it is not a vintage for long-term aging. 1,713 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018Fresh kirsch, silky textures and a sweet, soft, polished, peppery, red berry finish are found in this delicious wine. 1,740 Views Tasted Aug 19, 2014 |
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2010
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Silky, polished, sensuous, and delivering the essence of ripe, old vine Grenache, there is so much kirsch, licorice, jammy blackberries, spice and fresh herbs, it’s hard to believe. As big as this is, the wine is also voluptuous, ostentatious, deep, incredibly rich and lush, leaving a lasting impression. 8,636 Views Tasted Jun 1, 2013 |
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2010
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
This super wine, and great value delivers flowers, kirsch, jam and garrigue. Supple textured and already delivering pleasure, this is a winner. 3,099 Views Tasted May 29, 2013 |
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2009
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Full bodied, soft, lush, round and packed with ripe, old vine Grenache, the wine serves up sweet, fresh, ripe cherries, kirsch, black raspberries and black pepper. This is a really nice style of Chateauneuf that makes it hard to put the glass down. 4,934 Views Tasted Mar 4, 2015 |
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2007
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
No longer at peak, while still a treat, with all of its lush, ripe, spicy, earthy red fruits, now, you find less opulence and more tertiary notes of olives, garrigue, and herbs. Medium-bodied, earthy and plummy, this will be at its best over the next few years. Drink from 2022-2026. 3,054 Views Tasted Aug 9, 2022With an explosive nose of black cherries, kirsch, flowers, licorice, herbs and wet earth, you already know this is a winner. On the palate, the wine is silky, sensuous, lush and polished with layers of perfectly ripe plums and cherries that just don't quit. The wine is fully ready to go. No decanting needed here, just pop and pour. It is hard to imagine the wine getting any better than this. So if you are sitting on any bottles, it is time to pull a cork and enjoy the ride. 2,813 Views Tasted Oct 4, 2020Just weeks away from its 10th birthday, this is in the absolute perfect place for hedonistic, thrill sippers. The lush, sensuous, sexy textures really make this wine something special. The fruit, mostly cherries, shows great purity, freshness, sweetness and verve. The finish wraps it all up the perfect package. No decanting needed here, just let the wine develop in the glass. 4,682 Views Tasted Oct 14, 2016Popped and poured. This is one of those wine you knew was going to be good the moment the wine hit the glass. The garrigue, fresh red fruit, pepper, thyme and mint nose rocked it. Even better, the palate was pure lushness and silk. The perfectly ripe, sweet, old vine Grenache leaves a lasting impression in your mouth. This could get better, but it's so good now, if you have a bottle, you need to pop a cork and taste this for yourself. 4,444 Views Tasted Nov 26, 2014From mostly old vine Grenache with about 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, powerful aromas of black pepper, fresh herbs, kirsch, wild strawberries, jam and spices are all over the place. Sensuous in texture, rich in flavor and concentration, this beautiful example of Chateauneuf du Pape can be enjoyed in its youth for all the luscious, ripe, red fruits, or allowed to age. This is a wine I'm happy to have purchased as a pre arrival. 6,282 Views Tasted Oct 7, 2011 |
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2007
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Silky, sweet and fresh, this is just hitting its peak. If you are sitting on any bottles, pop cork for the juicy, lush, sweet, earthy, red fruits, spice, herbs and olives that are found from start to finish. 3,311 Views Tasted Sep 17, 2018 |
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2005
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Full bodied, and loaded with layers of sweet, juicy, ripe cherries, kirsch and olives, there is freshness and opulent character to be found here. Drink now, or wait another year or two, this is really a delicious treat. 3,781 Views Tasted Mar 4, 2017 |
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2004
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
There is a lot to like about this wine. The nose serves up ripe berries, garrigue and pepper. The wine is medium bodied, soft textured and drinking well today. 4,652 Views Tasted May 30, 2013 |
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2003
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Jammy strawberry, kirsch, spice, black raspberry, pepper and Provencal herbs lead to a mature Chateauneuf du Pape. Ripe, plush and open for pleasure, the wine ends with a myriad of lush, jammy red and dark berries. 4,227 Views Tasted Mar 7, 2012 |
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2000
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Silky, sexy, polished, and loaded with sweet, ripe, fresh cherries, kirsch, black raspberries, spice, herbs and earth. There is a nice purity to the fruit that matches the elegant textures on the palate. This is showing all it has on its 18th birthday. and may be on the downhill curve, as I remember previous bottles offering more intensity. 2,481 Views Tasted Mar 5, 2018 |
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1998
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Loads of kirsch, pepper, black cherry jam, garrigue and earthy scents open up the wine. In the mouth, the wine is rich, concentrated and paked with layers of sweet, dark, red berries, spice and lush textures. This is drinking great today. 4,196 Views Tasted Aug 27, 2012The wine opens with black cherries, cracked pepper, kirsch, garrigue and an interesting note of fresh corn. When this was pointed out, others in the group spotted it as well. Rich, deep and elegant in style, this mature wine finished with a peppery, blackberry jam and strawberry filled finish. 5,456 Views Tasted Aug 6, 2010Black pepper, flowers, licorice, Kirsch, market herbs and freshly mown grass in the perfume. This full bodied wine is filled with fresh strawberry, raspberry and dark cherries in the mouth. The elegantly rustic, sauvage textured wine fills your mouth with freshness and flavors, ending with a peppery, black cherry finish. This is at a great place to enjoy today. 5,416 Views Tasted Dec 27, 2009Deep, dark color. Robust character. Ripe, black, peppery fruit complicated with ample doses of kirsch. 2,465 Views Tasted Nov 1, 2007Great dark, ruby hue. On the nose, pepper, raspberries, mint, herbs and earthy notes. Very full bodied, and highly extracted, with palate sensations that are as enjoyable as the nose . The wine finishes with a blast of jammy blackberries, plums, strawberries and over ripe cherries. 2,533 Views Tasted Apr 21, 2004 |
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1994
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Firm, but not without some charm ripe, this kirsch and cherry griotte filled wine is drinking at full maturity today. 3,143 Views Tasted May 30, 2013 |
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1990
Clos du Mont-Olivet La Cuvée du Papet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fully mature, this is gorgeous. The ripe, juicy, sweet, peppery, earthy, garrigue and kirsch is a blast. The wine is still concentrated, lush, ripe and juicy with a strong hint of spicebox in the finish. Full-bodied, round and showy, this is a beautiful example of fully mature Chateauneuf du Pape! 3,820 Views Tasted Mar 10, 2019Earthy, barnyard scents are complicated by the kirsch, spice, garrigue and exotic plummy notes. Still fresh, silky and loaded with sweet, ripe cherries, this is at absolute peak and should be enjoyed over the next few years. 4,016 Views Tasted Dec 3, 2015With a perfume filled with aromatics of fruit cake, spice box, cinnamon, kirsch, earth, licorice and flowers, it's difficult to keep your nose out of the glass. The scents remind me of Christmas. Silky in texture, with a strawberry, cherry and spice finish, the wine was great the moment it was poured from the bottle. It started dropping fruit after 90 minutes in the glass. That first hour and half was a treat! This Chateauneuf du Pape is fully mature and will not improve. While there is no hurry to drink a well stored bottle, I'm going to finish my remaining two bottles over the next 2-3 years. 3,787 Views Tasted Oct 15, 2013Kirsch, barnyard, sour cherry, jammy black raspberry and pepper aromatics open to a wine reeks of wild animal. This is a positive comment. The full bodied, concentrated, powerful wine combines boatloads of ripe and over ripe fruit. The wine finishes with a big mouthful of jammy black cherry and earth. 3,945 Views Tasted May 26, 2011Gobs of rich, ripe and over ripe red fruits and plums are all over the place and in your face. Full bodied and packed with plush, ripe fruit, this grabs your attention. 3,532 Views Tasted Feb 20, 2007Scents of red and black fruits, pepper and jam were joined by a complex display of herbs. This thick, concentrated wine was packed with lush, ripe Grenache fruit. 2,607 Views Tasted Feb 23, 2006Great ripe fruit notes, herbs, barnyard notes and a dose of spearmint. Very complex. The mouth feel was rich and concentrated. The flavors screamed Grenache as endless waves of ripe, fresh, jammy strawberry and raspberry filled your mouth. 1,971 Views Tasted Feb 12, 2005 |
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1983
Clos du Mont-Olivet (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Fully mature, with a spicy kirsch and earthy nose. Medium bodied, elegant and soft, there is a nice sweetness to to very ripe cherry finish. 2,871 Views Tasted May 30, 2013 |
