Clos du Mont-Olivet Chateauneuf du Pape Rhône Valley, France
Introduction:
The 2022 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a classically styled Southern Rhône red that captures the power, complexity, and elegance of the appellation. A blend centered on old-vine Grenache, with support from Syrah, Mourvèdre, and other traditional Rhône varietals, this wine offers expressive fruit, savory herb notes, and structured balance — a beautiful representation of a storied estate.
Terrior:
Grown across multiple parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the vines thrive in varied soils — including galets roulés (large round stones), sandy loam, and clay-limestone — which contribute to the wine’s depth and complexity. The Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and the cooling influence of the mistral wind, allows for full phenolic ripeness while preserving acidity. Old vines (some over 60 years) are farmed traditionally, and winemaking is intentionally restrained to highlight terroir.
Appearance:
Deep ruby with a slight purple hue at the rim. The wine shows excellent clarity and concentration, suggesting richness and youthful vibrancy.
Nose:
Aromatic and layered, the nose features ripe blackberry, black cherry, and dark plum, framed by garrigue herbs, cracked black pepper, and hints of lavender. Subtle notes of licorice, smoked meat, and earthy spice round out the bouquet.
Palate:
Medium to full-bodied with a plush yet structured texture. Flavors of macerated dark berries and blackcurrant are interwoven with savory elements — thyme, rosemary, and black olive tapenade — supported by fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. The wine is both generous and balanced, with a core of pure, ripe fruit.
Finish:
Long and persistent with echoes of dark fruit, spice, and dried herbs. The finish is clean and structured, with a subtle mineral note that underlines the wine’s age-worthiness.
Recommended Food Pairings:
Meat Dish: Herb-crusted lamb, beef daube Provençale, or venison stew with juniper and rosemary.
Vegetarian Option: Roasted ratatouille, lentil and mushroom cassoulet, or grilled eggplant with garlic and thyme.
Cheese / Charcuterie Pairing: Aged sheep’s milk cheeses like Ossau-Iraty, dry-cured sausage, tapenade, or olive bread with wild boar pâté.
Overall Impression:
The 2022 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a superb vintage that blends richness, aromatic lift, and structural poise. It showcases the hallmarks of traditional Southern Rhône winemaking: old-vine concentration, herbal complexity, and age-worthy finesse. Delicious now with decanting, and built to evolve gracefully over the next 8–12 years.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 15%
Farming Practices: Traditional viticulture with organic principles; hand-harvested, minimal intervention
Producer Name: Clos du Mont-Olivet
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: France
Region: Rhône Valley — Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Grape Varietals: Predominantly Grenache, with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and other Rhône varietals
Vintage: 2022
Wine Style: Red, Medium to full-bodied, aromatic, age-worthy
Winemaking Techniques: Indigenous yeast fermentation, aged in a mix of foudres and old barrels; unfined and unfiltered
Pack Size: 750 mL
Container Style: Standard wine bottle
Closure Style: Cork
Check out the press!
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is pretty and elegant, with a perfumed, red-fruited, spicy, mineral-laced style. It's...medium to full-bodied and has a beautiful sense of elegance, ample tannins, and outstanding length. While it's not massively concentrated, it has a certain tension and vibrancy that makes me think it will age beautifully. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it gained depth and richness with time in the glass, so don't be afraid to give it some air if drinking any time soon."
"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is pretty and elegant, with a perfumed, red-fruited, spicy, mineral-laced style. It's...medium to full-bodied and has a beautiful sense of elegance, ample tannins, and outstanding length. While it's not massively concentrated, it has a certain tension and vibrancy that makes me think it will age beautifully. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it gained depth and richness with time in the glass, so don't be afraid to give it some air if drinking any time soon."
93 points, Wine Advocate:
"Aromas of roses, dark cherries, flowers, and garrigue preface the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos du Mont Olivet, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured wine with a dense, fleshy core of fruit, supported by an abundance of sweet, velvety tannins that pave the way to a long, expansive finish...This wine stands out as one of the finest red wines I have encountered at this address. With its structure and complexity, it promises to cellar well for over a decade."
"Aromas of roses, dark cherries, flowers, and garrigue preface the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos du Mont Olivet, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured wine with a dense, fleshy core of fruit, supported by an abundance of sweet, velvety tannins that pave the way to a long, expansive finish...This wine stands out as one of the finest red wines I have encountered at this address. With its structure and complexity, it promises to cellar well for over a decade."
93 points, Wine Spectator:
"An extroverted style, with sweet, ripe chocolate-covered cherry and kirsch on a plush, generous frame. Leafy notes add an earthy dimension, while ballasts of iron keep everything firmly anchored. Shows pretty incense smoke threads through the lush, warm finish, with violet high tones."
"An extroverted style, with sweet, ripe chocolate-covered cherry and kirsch on a plush, generous frame. Leafy notes add an earthy dimension, while ballasts of iron keep everything firmly anchored. Shows pretty incense smoke threads through the lush, warm finish, with violet high tones."
93 points, Vinous:
"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape has the slight edge over the preceding vintage. Melted licorice, raspberry compote, and jammy black fruits are front and center. Round and concentrated with perfectly integrated tannins, even at this early stage, the 2022 is a triumph and should drink well after release."
"The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape has the slight edge over the preceding vintage. Melted licorice, raspberry compote, and jammy black fruits are front and center. Round and concentrated with perfectly integrated tannins, even at this early stage, the 2022 is a triumph and should drink well after release."
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