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This estate was formed in 1937; although, the Saban family, who runs this property, has roots stemming back almost 500 years in the area. The vineyards consist of 28 hectares including 15 different lieux-dits (French word for a local vineyard with a name) within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The vines, which are dominated by the Grenache varietal, have an average age of 80 years with some over 100 years old in certain parcels. After a manual harvest, 60% of the fruit is destemmed then the bounty is fermented in cement tanks. The wine is pressed into a mix of traditional large foudre barrels and small, used barrels then is bottled unfined and unfiltered. The Clos du Mont-Olivet “Cuvée Unique” is a special selection of barrels made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mouvèdre and the remainder from less known varieties of the region: Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Terret Noir and Picpoul Noir. This wine is usually the top wine the estate produces; although, occasionally, they will produce La Cuvée du Papet, which is a bottling of their oldest vines and has only been produced about ten times in the last 25 years. 

The 2012 vintage was a tremendous year in the Southern Rhône Valley. It was blessed with abundant sunshine, unlike the North, which I have heard battled with a bit of rain. The 2012 Cuvée Unique is an absolutely delicious Châteauneuf-du-Pape made in a medium-bodied and fresh style that is built to last as opposed to many wines from the region, which come out of the gate so ripe, full-bodied and sweet that the wines do not age well. The aromas for the 2012 Mont-Olivet are fresh, floral and classic, showing notes of wild raspberries, ripe black plum, black cherry liqueur, cranberry and fresh violets with a touch of olive, underbrush, wild herbs, white pepper and roasted meat. The palate is brighter in acidity than most, with a balanced tension between fruit and earth, which this producer tends to achieve due to their precise picking times. This wine typically shows well about 30 minutes after opening; so please decant, but also make sure to serve this close to 60 degrees as possible to prevent the alcohol from dominating the aromas. Although this wine is drinking well at the moment, Clos du Mont-Olivet is famous for its ability to age, and great vintages like this will deliver incredible tasting experiences at twenty years or more in the cellar. I would personally lay the wine down for 2-3 more years before drinking. If you drink the wine now, you will see the fresher side whereas age will reveal ample complexity that is simply amazing. At this price, it is a perfect candidate to cellar; so please, forget about a few bottles in a couple dark spots. I enjoy Grenache-based wines in a Burgundy stem yet some prefer a Bordeaux stem; so use what you prefer. Try this wine with a braised veal ragout over mascarpone polenta for a dynamite pairing. Enjoy!