About Clos du Mont-Olivet

By Paul Caputo

Clos du Mont-Olivet is one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s important references for stylishly elegant wines. Over the last few generations the Sabon family have crafted an admirable reputation for polished, age worthy wines. With 21 hectares under vine in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and an array of exciting new vineyard plots in neighbouring Rhône Valley appellations such as Lirac, Clos du Mont-Olivet continue to be an exciting family domaine to look out for.

In April 2019 I tasted a number of recent vintages at the domaine. While 2017 was still young, 2016 was already showing signs of being the great vintage it has won acclaim for. 2015 was opened reluctantly, perhaps because it taking its time to develop the seductive, garrigue driven character that we’ve come to expect from these wines. 2014 was absolutely delicious, boasting lots of fine velvety fruits, some earth, black olive notes and impressive length. 2011 had entered what the estate refers to as ‘phase two’, exuding lots of earth and spice, red fruit, olives, power but all the while gaining in tertiary elegance.