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
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d'Armand (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Jan 30, 2024 |
2021
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Terrasses (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Jan 30, 2024 |
2021
Domaine Olivier Hillaire (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Jan 30, 2024 |
2020
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d'Armand (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Jan 27, 2023 |
2020
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Terrasses (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Jan 27, 2023 |
2020
Domaine Olivier Hillaire La Part des Anges (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Jan 27, 2023 |
2020
Domaine Olivier Hillaire (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Jan 27, 2023 |
2018
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d'Armand (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Oct 12, 2020 |
2018
Domaine Olivier Hillaire (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Oct 12, 2020 |
2017
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d'Armand (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Nov 23, 2019 |
2017
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Terrasses (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Nov 24, 2019 |
2017
Domaine Olivier Hillaire (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, soft and juicy with a dark cherry core of fruits and spice notes in the finish. 2,616 Views Tasted Sep 24, 2019 |
2015
Domaine Olivier Hillaire (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
Medium bodied, elegantly styled with soft, fresh, light red fruits that will be ready to drink on release. 2,653 Views Tasted Aug 21, 2017 |
2012
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d'Armand (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Dec 17, 2017 |
2010
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d'Armand (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Mar 21, 2012 |
2010
Domaine Olivier Hillaire (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Mar 21, 2012 |
2009
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Les Petits Pieds d'Armand (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
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 Dec 16, 2014 |