Domaine Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Wine Complete Guide

Domaine Olivier Hillaire

Learn everything about Domaine Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property and 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

Domaine Olivier Hillaire History, Overview

Domaine Olivier Hillaire is one of the new kids on the block in Chateauneuf du Pape. The estate was born in 2007. When the well-known Henri Boiron retired as a wine maker, he sold the Southern Rhone Valley vineyards of his estate Domaine des Relagnes.

Olivier Hillaire, being the son in law of Henri Boiron, had the inside tract and purchased some of the land to create Domaine Olivier Hillaire.

One of the first moves the young owner of Domaine Olivier Hillaire did was to bring in Philippe Cambie as the consultant. More than just your average winemaker, Olivier Hillaire also owns a local brasserie and a boulangerie in Chateauneuf du Pape.

As of 2013, Domaine Olivier Hillaire did not have their own cellars for the aging of their wine. At the moment, the wines are aged in a shared facility in Sorgues. However, they are in good company as Andre Brunel and Henri Bonneau also age their wines in the same facility.

Domaine Olivier Hillaire also produces wine in the Cotes du Rhone appellation from 5 hectares of vines they own in the region.

Domaine Oivier Hillaire Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

Domaine Olivier Hillaire has 3.6 hectares of vines in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Most of that land is set aside for the production of red, Chateauneuf du Pape wine. .1 hectares is reserved for the production of their white, Chateauneuf du Pape wine. All of his vineyards are farmed using 100% organic farming techniques.

The estate produces 2 red Chateauenuf du Pape wines and 1 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.

Domaine Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf du Pape – The wine is usually a blend of 90% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah, although from time to time, Cinsault has also been included in the blend.

The vines are close to 65 years of age on average. The wine is aged in cement vat, old, French oak barrels and demi muids for an average of 12 months. About 400 cases are produced each year.

Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d’Armand – Produced from 100% old vine Grenache planted in 1899, the grapes come from a 1.8 hectare parcel of sandy terroir located in the La Crau sector. The wine is aged in a combination of cement vats and demi muids for an average of 12 months. Slightly less than 300 cases of this cuvee are produced in each vintage.

Domaine Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is quite limited. Less than 35 cases are produced each vintage.

When to Drink Domaine Olivier Hillaire, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Domaine Olivier Hillaire can be enjoyed on the young side. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for about 1 hour, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Domaine Olivier Hillaire is usually better with 3-5 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages the wine should be consumed within 4-14 years after the vintage.

Serving Domaine Olivier Hillaire with Wine, Food Pairing Tips

Domaine Olivier Hillaire is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Domaine Olivier Hillaire is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, grilled meats, barbecue and cassoulet. Domaine Olivier Hillaire is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, cheese, pasta, eggplant and tomatoes.

The white wine of Domaine Olivier Hillaire is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

Domaine Olivier Hillaire Wine Tasting Notes

17 Vintages 34,651 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2021
93
The display of roses, and cherries in the nose gets your attention. On the palate, the wine is silky, refined, elegant, and supple. There is freshness, purity, and sweetness that is impossible not to notice, as you experience the layers of kirsch in the finish. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache from vines that average over 100 years of age. Drink from 2024-2034.

The display of roses, and cherries in the nose gets your attention. On the palate, the wine is silky, refined, elegant, and supple. There is freshness, purity, and sweetness that is impossible not to notice, as you experience the layers of kirsch in the finish. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Grenache from vines that average over 100 years of age. Drink from 2024-2034.

441 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Quite floral in nature, you also find kirsch, cherries, and strawberries all over the place. Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, and refined, the wine is effortless to drink as it focuses on its purity. You will be able to enjoy its charms on release. The wine is made from 100% old vine Grenache planted in rocky soils. Drink from 2024-2031.

Quite floral in nature, you also find kirsch, cherries, and strawberries all over the place. Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, and refined, the wine is effortless to drink as it focuses on its purity. You will be able to enjoy its charms on release. The wine is made from 100% old vine Grenache planted in rocky soils. Drink from 2024-2031.

485 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Flowers, black raspberries, kirsch, and herbs create the core of this forward, medium-bodied, fresh, supple-textured, fruity wine, leaving you with juicy kirsch, and pepper in the endnote. The wine blends 90% Grenache with 10% Syrah. Drink from 2024-2029.

Flowers, black raspberries, kirsch, and herbs create the core of this forward, medium-bodied, fresh, supple-textured, fruity wine, leaving you with juicy kirsch, and pepper in the endnote. The wine blends 90% Grenache with 10% Syrah. Drink from 2024-2029.

655 Views   Tasted
2020
94
Flowers, garrigue, smoke, licorice, herbs, kirsch and cherries are a treat to smell. Silky and fresh on the palate, there is a salty, oceanic touch to the red fruits and olives on the palate that is made even better by the refined textures in the finish. Produced from 100% old vine Grenache, the wine is a parcel selection of the estates oldest vines planted in the La Crau lieu-dit. Drink from 2023-2036.

Flowers, garrigue, smoke, licorice, herbs, kirsch and cherries are a treat to smell. Silky and fresh on the palate, there is a salty, oceanic touch to the red fruits and olives on the palate that is made even better by the refined textures in the finish. Produced from 100% old vine Grenache, the wine is a parcel selection of the estates oldest vines planted in the La Crau lieu-dit. Drink from 2023-2036.

774 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Produced from 100% old vine Grenache planted in rocky soils, the sniff offers sweet, black cherries, strawberry, flowers, kirsch and roses. The wine is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, supple and refined, leaving you with a sense of purity in the kirsch on the mid-palate and in the finish. Drink from 2022-2033.

Produced from 100% old vine Grenache planted in rocky soils, the sniff offers sweet, black cherries, strawberry, flowers, kirsch and roses. The wine is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, supple and refined, leaving you with a sense of purity in the kirsch on the mid-palate and in the finish. Drink from 2022-2033.

672 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, bright and approachable, the kirsch and strawberry character, with its fruit forward, strawberry oriented finish is ready-to-go. Drink from 2022-2028.

Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, bright and approachable, the kirsch and strawberry character, with its fruit forward, strawberry oriented finish is ready-to-go. Drink from 2022-2028.

838 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Fresh, sweet, soft, elegant, cherries and strawberries are all over the place here on the nose and palate. The wine is soft, medium-bodied, fresh and fully ready to go for early drinking pleasure. Drink from 2022-2028.

Fresh, sweet, soft, elegant, cherries and strawberries are all over the place here on the nose and palate. The wine is soft, medium-bodied, fresh and fully ready to go for early drinking pleasure. Drink from 2022-2028.

727 Views   Tasted
2018
94
The floral notes really sing here. From there you find ripe raspberries, kirsch and freshness on the nose and medium-bodied palate. The end notes are all about the silky textures and refined, elegant stylings.

The floral notes really sing here. From there you find ripe raspberries, kirsch and freshness on the nose and medium-bodied palate. The end notes are all about the silky textures and refined, elegant stylings.

1,277 Views   Tasted
2018
91
Medium bodied, forward, soft and already deceptively easy to taste, the wine is fruity, soft, round, sweet and juicy with a nice, peppery, kirsch kick in the finish. The wine is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah.

Medium bodied, forward, soft and already deceptively easy to taste, the wine is fruity, soft, round, sweet and juicy with a nice, peppery, kirsch kick in the finish. The wine is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah.

1,662 Views   Tasted
2017
95
There is a lot to like here starting with all the sweet, black raspberries, cherries, kirsch, flowers and spice on the nose and palate. The wine is medium-bodied, lifted, soft and silky, with a nice dose of concentrated peppery red fruits in the finish.

There is a lot to like here starting with all the sweet, black raspberries, cherries, kirsch, flowers and spice on the nose and palate. The wine is medium-bodied, lifted, soft and silky, with a nice dose of concentrated peppery red fruits in the finish.

3,572 Views   Tasted
2017
93
Fresh and floral, with sweet, ripe, spicy red fruits, with accents of thyme and herbs in a medium-bodied, elegant, refined style.

Fresh and floral, with sweet, ripe, spicy red fruits, with accents of thyme and herbs in a medium-bodied, elegant, refined style.

2,663 Views   Tasted
2017
90
Medium bodied, soft and juicy with a dark cherry core of fruits and spice notes in the finish.

Medium bodied, soft and juicy with a dark cherry core of fruits and spice notes in the finish.

2,616 Views   Tasted
2015
89
Medium bodied, elegantly styled with soft, fresh, light red fruits that will be ready to drink on release.

Medium bodied, elegantly styled with soft, fresh, light red fruits that will be ready to drink on release.

2,653 Views   Tasted
2012
94
Young, but already quite the tasty treat, the wine is full bodied, luscious, round, and loaded with sweet, juicy black raspberries, peppery kirsch and fresh herbs.

Young, but already quite the tasty treat, the wine is full bodied, luscious, round, and loaded with sweet, juicy black raspberries, peppery kirsch and fresh herbs.

3,327 Views   Tasted
2010
95
2010 Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d’Armand is stuffed with licorice, jammy blackberries and cherry. From 100% old vine Grenache, and when I say old, I mean vines over 100 years old, this concentrated, pure, kirsch, Provencal herb and peppery is lush and lusty.

2010 Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d’Armand is stuffed with licorice, jammy blackberries and cherry. From 100% old vine Grenache, and when I say old, I mean vines over 100 years old, this concentrated, pure, kirsch, Provencal herb and peppery is lush and lusty.

5,732 Views   Tasted
2010
92
This relatively new producer began making wine in about 2004. With fresh black cherries, earth, fresh herbs, leather and kirsch, the wine gets your attention. Full bodied, rich and lush, the wine finishes with ripe, jammy black raspberries.

This relatively new producer began making wine in about 2004. With fresh black cherries, earth, fresh herbs, leather and kirsch, the wine gets your attention. Full bodied, rich and lush, the wine finishes with ripe, jammy black raspberries.

1,902 Views   Tasted
2009
94
Rich, fat, ripe, juicy, lush, concentrated and frankly delicious, the wine is all about its perfectly ripe black raspberry, kirsch liqueur, jam and spicy character. The finish really lasts and leaves a positive impression.

Rich, fat, ripe, juicy, lush, concentrated and frankly delicious, the wine is all about its perfectly ripe black raspberry, kirsch liqueur, jam and spicy character. The finish really lasts and leaves a positive impression.

4,655 Views   Tasted