Clos du Mont Olivet CDP 2000, 2003 and 2004, La Cuvee du Papet
Made by Thierry Sabon, who started having more and more control since 2001, Clos du Mont-Olivet made classic, age-worthy wines in 2004.
While their traditional cuvee is solid, their top cuvee, the Cuvee du Papet, is one of the top wines in the vintage (and I was lucky enough to get to taste – and drink – through multiple bottles for this report).
First produced in 1989, the jewel of the estate is made only in exceptional vintages from the estates oldest vines of Grenache (the oldest were planted in 1901) with a compliment of Mourvedre and/or Syrah in varying proportions according to the vintage. All the varietals are fermented together and give rise to a wine both concentrated and elegant and with a great finish.
"Clos du Mont Olivet is one of the great estates of Chateauneuf du Pape. They have been estate bottling for over 80 years, and readers looking for classic, old-style, traditional as well as long-lived Chateauneuf du Papes have a beacon of reassurance with the Sabon family, who have run this large domaine so impeccably well."
- Robert Parker
