CLOS DU MONT-OLIVET
Châteauneuf du Pape, France
The first official mention of the vineyard ‘ad montem oliveti’ dates back to 1547, but it wasn’t until 1932 that Seraphin Sabon created the domaine of the same name. It is now his great grand-children Thierry, David and Celine who own and manage the estate. Thierry, who formerly studied physics, is the winemaker.
In contrast to its name, the estate’s 28 hectares are spread out over dozens of parcels from the north to the south of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The soils and microclimates are very varied, including quartzite colluvium, sandstones, marine clays. Grenache is the main grape, followed by Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault, and small amounts of Counoise, Vaccarese, Muscardin, Picpoul Noir and Terret Noir. For the white, no one grape dominates: Clairette Blanche and Rose, Bourboulenc and Roussanne make up 4/5ths with the rest being Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc and Picardan.
Viticulture is sustainable, the vineyards are ploughed, and pheromone traps (sexual confusion) are used to avoid insecticides. There are an additional 17 hectares in Cotes du Rhone, fairly close together in lieux-dits like Montueil la Levade and Serre de Catin.
The style for the regular Chateauneuf-du-Pape is sometimes described as Burgundian, implying an emphasis on subtlety and grace rather than sheer power. While elegant, it can happily age in the cellar for many years. The Reserve wine is the Cuvee Papet, a selection of vines, but the bulk often coming from the 80 year old vines of Monalivet.
Wines
Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge
Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc
Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Cuvée Papet
Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Petit Mont
Clos du Mont-Olivet Lirac Rouge
Clos du Mont-Olivet Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Clos du Mont-Olivet Côtes du Rhône Rouge Vieilles Vignes
Clos du Mont-Olivet Côtes du Rhône Rouge A Seraphin