Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011
Clos du Mont-Olivet 2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, France | 14.5% | Imported by The Wine Company | From one of the most classic estates of this storied region, this glorious Châteauneuf-du-Pape favors classic proportions (predominantly Grenache but accented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and just subtle parts of other approved Châteauneuf-du-Pape varieties such as Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Picpoul Noir and Terret Noir) and conveys the best of each because many of these vines were planted shortly after this renowned Clos began in 1932. Couple that with an idyllic vintage like 2011 and we have this superlative Châteauneuf-du-Pape –an absolute marvel with all that telltale lavender driven garrigue and a sweet scented admixture of raspberries and brandied black cherries, white pepper and candied roses, fine grained tannins, juicy acids, and a texture that yearns to roll about the tongue with licorice, curing tobacco and cherry cordial at the close finishing rich, ripe and dry with its fragrance echoing long after.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, April 28, 2014 (Fruit)
Robert Parker often exclaimed "Hedonistic fruit bomb" when tasting the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape but I couldn't disagree more. A great Chateauneuf is a tightrope walker with weights in each hand, in this case grenache and syrah. Both of these grapes, if allowed to bake a bit in the sun of the Chateauneuf du Pape hillsides, can easily go into the overripe, super extracted style and that type of wine is mono-dimentional and easy to crank out. Far more difficult to make, and enjoyable to consume (to me), is a wine like this: the tightrope walker. The balanced monster. The ballet dancing linebacker. The poetry writing jock. Something with size and guts but finesse and gentleness. I'm not going to go off about the raspberry and cherry aromas, the herbs playing at the edges of the nose, the mouthfeel that shape-shifts faster than Plastic-Man. No, no, no. I'm simply going to say this: if you want to experience the potential heights of this cherished region, buy this wine. (Suggestion: decant about an hour ahead.) - Tasting note by Jason Kallsen, October 2013
Expert Review
91 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
“Vivid ruby. Sexy, mineral-tinged red berry and floral pastille aromas pick up a pungent note of garrigue with air and show very good clarity. Sappy, penetrating and lively on the palate, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and a touch of white pepper. The mineral note echoes on the persistent finish, which is firmed by chewy, fine-grained tannins.”
Wine review by Josh Raynolds
90 Wine Advocate
“More structured, rich and layered, the 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a beauty. Loaded with dark cherry, leather, mineral, licorice and roasted herbs, this medium-bodied, seamless and nicely concentrated 2011 has a great texture, solid mid-palate depth and sweet tannin. It can be enjoyed anytime over the coming decade. Drink now-2023+.
“One of my favorite estates and a bastion of traditionally made, age-worthy wines, Clos du Mont-Olivet has been run by the Sabon family since 1932. Thierry Sabon, who studied physics before working at the estate, has made the wines since 2001. In top vintages, they produce three red Châteauneufs, a fruit-forward Petit Mont (meaning small hill), a classic traditional blend, and their top cuvee, the Cuvee du Papet. On top of this, they release a number of character-filled Cotes du Rhônes. This is an estate that is at the top of their game.”
Wine review by Jeb Dunnuck
Food Pairings
Steaks, pasta with meat sauces, sausages the spicier the better. Barbecued ribs or chicken. Burgers and brats.
