Clos du Mont-Olivet Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023 750ml

A fleshy, driven and velvety Chateauneuf-du-Pape, exhibiting aromas of crushed strawberries, forest berries, warm herbs and baking spices. It's full-bodied with fine tannins and generous fruit, yet it remains in control, with a refined texture and a long, lively and flavorful finish. Delicious bitter-orange aftertaste. Drink or hold.

The effusive nose of ripe raspberries and sour cherries pulls you into this concentrated and well-structured Chateauneuf. Firm core with plenty of licorice, black olives and spices, and a long, complex finish that's beautifully supported by the expertly crafted tannins. A cuvee based on grenache made since 1932. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Aromas of roses, dark cherries, flowers and garrigue preface the 2022 Chateauneuf 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. Composed of 75% Grenache Noir, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Cinsault and small equal parts of Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picoult Noir, Vaccarèse and Counoise, 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. (Yohan Castaing)

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. The palate does not reflect the signs of over-ripeness shown on the nose. Round and concentrated with perfectly integrated tannins, even at this early stage, the 2022 is a triumph and should drink well right after release. (Nicolas Greinacher)

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. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret, Picpoul and Muscardin. Drink now through 2035. 5,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. (Kristen Bieler)

Coming from old vines across multiple lieux-dits, including La Crau and Montalivet, the 2023 Châteauneuf Du Pape reveals darker berries, rose petals, pepper, and subtle iron and black olive nuances. Based on 75% Grenache with 10% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of traditional varieties, it was partially destemmed and aged 20 months in a combination of large foudres and concrete. It's complex and medium-bodied, with a pure, layered mouthfeel and outstanding length. I love its ultra-classic perfume as well as its sense of purity and finesse on the palate. With roughly 4,200 cases produced, it deserves a few years of bottle age and will keep for two decades. Drink 2028-2048.

A spicy, racy version, with anise root, sarsaparilla and grilled thyme infusing a core of juicy red fruit. Silky in feel, with a cooling rush of crushed wet stone bringing refreshing mineral energy and acidity. Sandalwood, red tea and graphite line the finish; this is a fresh, lively take, with good dimension. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarese, Terret, Picpoul and Muscardin. Drink now through 2040. 4,042 cases made, 370 cases imported.