2023 Clos du Mont Olivet - Cotes du Rhone V.V. (750ml)

The Sabon family has run Clos du Mont-Olivet, one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most respected traditional estates, since 1932. Their Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes is a little Châteauneuf in spirit at a fraction of the price. The vines average around 50 years old and grow on sandy, quartz-rich soils just north of Châteauneuf, near Orange, and across the river in Lirac. Mostly Grenache, with Syrah and Carignan, it’s hand-harvested, partly destemmed and fermented with native yeasts in cement. It ages in a mix of cement, old foudres and older barrels, and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Expect red berries, cherry, garrigue, spice and a hint of graphite. The palate is medium to full, with fine-grained tannins and a fresh, savory finish. Great with roast chicken, sausages, lentils or steak frites.