Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2020
Clos du Mont-Olivet
The Sabon family's Clos du Mont-Olivet is one of Châteauneuf's most traditionally styled estates, and this 2020 demonstrates why structure matters more than opulence in this appellation. The tannin framework is serious without being aggressive, giving the wine both immediate appeal and a long cellaring trajectory. A wine built on its bones.
Kit Aromas
Nose
Dark cherry and crushed violet open, followed by garrigue — thyme, rosemary, and lavender. There is a savory, almost meaty quality underneath, with hints of black olive and cedar.
Palate
The tannin structure announces itself immediately — fine-grained but firm, creating a framework for dark berries, dried herbs, and a distinctive mineral quality that recalls the galets roulés stones. Midpalate brings sweet spice and a floral lift before the tannin reasserts its grip.
Finish
Long and structured, with cedar, dark fruit, and a persistent saline minerality. The tannin architecture carries the finish well beyond what the wine's moderate weight suggests.
- Varietal
- Grenache
- Blend
- 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault and others
- Vineyards
- Clos du Mont-Olivet estate vineyards, galets roulés soils
- Alcohol
- 15%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
The wine's garrigue herb notes echo the Provençal seasoning, while its tannin structure cuts through the lamb's rendered fat, creating a dialogue between richness and grip.
The Sabon family has farmed their Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards since 1932, making traditionally structured wines from old-vine Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah grown on the appellation's famous round stone terraces that radiate heat into the vines long after sunset.
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