Alcohol: 14.5%
Grape(s): 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre
Localization: Rhone, France
Tasting Notes: Aromas of blackberry, red cherry and baking spices. Smooth, concentrated yet balanced; flavors of tart cherries, red plums and light licorice. Very long finish.
94 Points - James Suckling: Very ripe but restrained and subtle with black fruit, licorice and black olives, this is concentrated, spicy and focused. Compact, tannic core, then a very long, velvety finish with serious power and complexity.
Food Pairing: Pair this wine alongside grilled steak, lamb roasted with prunes, olive tapenade.
The Domain: Heady, concentrated, sweet and long, the Chateauneuf-du-Pape from the Sabon family is remarkably intricate and refined.
While the family are strict traditionalists, they still allow us to make our North Berkeley Barrel Selection from wine raised in used Burgundy barrels we provide. Jean-Claude Sabon performs most of the vineyard work himself, while his son Thierry (who has a Ph.D in physics) manages winemaking duties.
Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape bursts forth from the glass with aromatics of crushed vanilla beans, Mexican chocolate, coffee, and a sandalwood warmth that we’ve come to recognize as the Mont Olivet signature. From 80-year-old vines, our barrel selection wine is usually 65% Grenache, with the remainder Syrah and Mourvèdre.
"La Cuvee du Papet," named for Joseph Sabon, Sr., (papet means “Grandpa”) is a selection of the finest lots in the cellar, and is acknowledged by many to be one of the most age-worthy, fascinating wines produced in the appellation.
