Clos du Mont-Olivet - Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge 2022

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Aromas of rose, black cherry, flowers, and garrigue set the stage for the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos du Mont Olivet, a medium-bodied to full-bodied wine, complex and textured, with a dense, fleshy fruit core supported by an abundance of soft, velvety tannins that pave the way for a long, ample finish. Composed of 75% Grenache Noir, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Cinsault, and small equal proportions of Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picoult Noir, Vaccarèse, and Counoise, this wine stands out as one of the best reds I’ve encountered from this producer. Thanks to its structure and complexity, it promises excellent aging potential for over a decade.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

A wine with a refined and complex bouquet that blends fruit, floral notes, and a lovely herbal freshness. It seems more delicate than usual—graceful and sunny, full-bodied yet refined—with the pleasant flavor of sweet fruit. (RVF Magazine No. 685 – November 2024)

About the estate:

Despite its name, this estate is highly fragmented and encompasses nearly every type of soil found within the appellation. Produced using traditional methods, the red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines often appear reserved in their youth. They are crafted to reveal their full potential over time. For several vintages now, Thierry Sabon has brought finesse and refinement to the entire range, from the basic Côtes-du-Rhône to the top-tier Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We have been following this estate’s progress for many years. At ten years old, the wines express themselves with grace. At twenty years, they reach a new milestone and reveal their true potential: one then fully appreciates their aromas of truffle, undergrowth, and fruit that seems infused by time. The white Châteauneuf-du-Pape is spirited and distinguished. In good vintages, the estate offers the Cuvée du Papet, a dense and deep wine, built for aging, which often reaches an exceptional level. All the wines show great aging potential.

Wine Spectator

About the wine:

An extroverted style, with aromas of ripe cherry coated in chocolate and kirsch, set against a velvety, full-bodied structure. Herbal notes add an earthy dimension, while mineral notes provide a firm foundation. Lovely smoky notes of incense slip into the lush, warm finish, enhanced by hints of violet. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret, Picpoul, and Muscardin.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is slightly better than the previous vintage. Notes of smooth licorice, raspberry compote, and jammy black fruits take center stage. On the palate, there are no signs of the overripeness perceptible on the nose. Round and concentrated, with perfectly integrated tannins even at this early stage, the 2022 is a success and should be a pleasure to drink as soon as it goes on sale.

James Suckling

About the wine:

The exuberant nose of ripe raspberries and tart cherries invites you to discover this concentrated, well-structured Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It features a firm core, rich with notes of licorice, black olives, and spices, as well as a long, complex finish, beautifully supported by expertly crafted tannins. A Grenache-based cuvée produced since 1932. Will reach its peak starting in 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is charming and elegant, with a fragrant style featuring red fruit and spicy aromas, along with mineral notes. It is one of the most elegant wines I have tasted at Thierry’s; it offers a medium-bodied to full-bodied palate, beautiful elegance, supple tannins, and exceptional length. Although it isn’t extremely concentrated, it possesses a certain tension and liveliness that lead me to believe it will age beautifully. I tracked this bottle over several days, and it gained depth and richness as time passed in the glass; so don’t hesitate to let it breathe if you plan to drink it soon. The blend consists of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 9% Mourvèdre, with the remainder being a mix of authorized grape varieties from different terroirs; it was partially destemmed and aged for 20 months in a combination of large oak casks, demi-muids, and concrete tanks.