Clos du Mont-Olivet - Chateauneuf du Pape 2022 (750ml)

Clos du Mont-Olivet Chateauneuf du Pape 2022

Served @ DB's "Wines for Thanksgiving" Tasting 

Clos du Mont-Olivet is a true insider’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Lirac domaine. Often described as a beacon of traditionalism, the domaine 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 and Lirac. The wines are classical in style, with heady, complex aromatics, and garrigue-laden fruit that tastes of the stones that comprise the fascinating soils of the area. Thierry’s minimalist approach which highlights his terroir, has garnered him vast praise across the wine world, as Southern Rhône wines rarely speak so clearly and eloquently of their terroir. It has become clear over the many years that Thierry has been in charge of this classic estate, that the quality of Clos du Mont-Olivet has never been higher, and the value represented by their extraordinary lineup stands as a bastion to historic Châteauneuf and Lirac.

“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

“Consistently outstanding, classic Côtes du Rhônes and Châteauneuf du Papes emerge from Clos du Mont-Olivet, run by the incredibly talented and thoughtful Thierry Sabon for a number of years now.”
– Jeb Dunnuck

94 Pts Jeb Dunnuck - The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape is pretty and elegant, with a perfumed, red-fruited, spicy, mineral-laced style. It's one of the more elegant wines I've tasted from Thierry and is medium to full-bodied and has a beautiful sense of elegance, ample tannins, and outstanding length. While it's not massively concentrated, it has a certain tension and vibrancy that makes me think it will age beautifully. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it gained depth and richness with time in the glass, so don't be afraid to give it some air if drinking any time soon. The blend is 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of permitted varieties from a mix of terroirs; it was partially destemmed and aged 20 months in a mix of foudre, demi-muids, and concrete tanks.

 

Aromas of roses, dark cherries, flowers and garrigue preface the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos du Mont Olivet, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured wine with a dense, fleshy core of fruit, supported by an abundance of sweet, velvety tannins that pave the way to a long, expansive finish. Composed of 75% Grenache Noir, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Cinsault and small equal parts of Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picoult Noir, Vaccarèse and Counoise, this wine stands out as one of the finest red wines I have encountered at this address. With its structure and complexity, it promises to cellar well for over a decade.