Origin: Cotes-du-Rhone, France
Grape: 65% Grenache with the remainder of Carignan and Syrah
Year: 2016
Alcohol: 14%
Price point: $18
Year Reviewed: 2018
I had to do some extra research on this winery and winemaker, as I was blown away by this red blend. Routinely, I do not care much for Grenache, but this blend with Carignan and Syrah had me amazed. My research discovered that the Grenache is from 40 year old vines, the Carignan from 1972 plantings, and Syrah from 1983. Carignan is possibly what gives this wine such a different aroma and palate uniqueness.
On the eyes, you will find a deep ruby wine. Clean pronounced (meaning so pronounced when you uncork) you will want to keep your nose in the glass. Aromas are fragrant of earth, mushroom, tar, leather and a bit of kirsch. This complex, elegant wine has smooth creamy tannins, medium acidity and medium body. The complexity is what had me captured. As the wine opened up after 1 hour, it just continued to get better and better. Flavors of strawberry, vegetal, vanilla, green pepper and olive appear, but the flavors keep coming at you and there is some sour, some spice, some sweetness and you wonder how can you be experiencing all of these flavors in one wine…….yes, that is, in my opinion, is what makes it outstanding. Stand this wine up against any Chanteauneuf-du-Pape wine, that will cost you much more, and your value here is unbeatable. The finish is very long and savory and you will want to keep drinking this one all night. Quality: Truly outstanding elegance for the price point. I will purchase this again and look for more wines from this winemaker.
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.
Some info on this other red wines:
Clos du Mont Olivet Châteauneuf-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.
https://www.wine.com/product/clos-du-mont-olivet-cotes-du-rhone-vieilles-vignes-2016/431205
A Côtes du Rhône with serious terroir credentials. Selected from vineyards (planted in the 1950s) that boast classic Châteauneuf soils (galets roulés, sand, marl), this wine shows the depth and complexity of a refined Châteauneuf while showcasing lively, summer-ripe fruit and spices.
Pair with grilled lamb with herbs or roasted chicken with black olive tapenade.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhone actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red varieties include most of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.