Mont Olivet Cotes du Rhone 2011

Mont Olivet 2011Font de Blanche Côtes-du-Rhône | 14% | 60% Grenache, 38% Syrah, 2% Cinsault blended from the pure free run juice which then sees time to mature in large oak vats. Our friends at Mont Olivet said the 2011 was a vintage characterized by “a magnificent Indian summer which created the most ideal conditions we can expect to go through a very serene harvest time” and the wine reflects this. Mont Olivet’s Côtes-du-Rhone vineyards are situated to the north of Bollène on the border between the Vaucluse and Drôme departments.

The vines are cultivated in the locality known as “La Blancherie”, on an alluvial soil from the Würm glacial period, and in which fossils are often found –thus the reason why a red Côtes-du-Rhone includes the word “Blanche” but make no mistake, this red is brimming with a berried compote, generously gives off a garrigue that fills one’s head, all washing together on the palate and combining in a finish whose floral and fruity garrigue tastes of rose water –reminiscent of Turkish Delight if it weren’t sweet and tasted of red berries and raspberries. An absolute joy and not one to be missed.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, January 23, 2014 (Root –and perhaps proving Southern Rhône varieties are immune to such celestial vicissitudes? Certainly tastes so!)

Food Pairings

Steaks, pasta with meat sauces, sausages the spicier the better. Barbecued ribs or chicken. Burgers and brats.