Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Papet 2015
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James
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Robert
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Winemaker Notes
The 2015 red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines have beautiful deep, dark and already shiny colors. The aromas – mostly black fruit- remain fresh, a proof that the fruit has been harvested at its optimal ripeness. The tannins are there – silky and smooth, fine and elegant. The wines are balanced, fruity, enjoyable, and definitely set to age well and for many years.
Blend: 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is 70% grenache with the remainder equal parts syrah and mourvèdre. Aromas of ripe raspberry, red plum and cherry, with herbs, pepper and a whole bunch of sappiness, too. The palate has radiant, regal tannins in fine proportion. Super fresh.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The deep ruby-colored 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape La Cuvee Du Papet (70% Grenache and 15% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah) is the flagship of the estate and comes from four different terroirs: Bois Dauphin, la Crau, Montalivet and Pied de Baud. It’s only partially destemmed and aged 90% in foudre and 10% in demi-muids. It’s a classic and old school as they come and has beautiful notes of cured meats, pepper, Provençal spices, blackcurrants and black raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, with a stacked mid-palate, it should come in behind the off the charts 2010 and 2007, but should match the 2012 and 2009. It’s a beautiful wine that will have decades of longevity.
Range: (93-95)+
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Decanter
70% Grenahce, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, and some more than 100 years old. Vibrant and expressive raspberry and violet, a beautiful expression of Grenache. Full-bodied with fine tannins, pinpoint acidity. Subtle and expertly crafted.
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Wine Spectator
Lush and inviting, with the ripe plum, blackberry and cassis profile typical of the vintage, all backed by polished structure and anise, black tea and fruitcake flavors. Drink now through 2030.
Other Vintages
2020-
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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.
North Berkeley Imports
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.