2010 Chateauneuf du Pape
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Tasting notes
Much more serious, and a big, structured effort, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape has loads of minerality, pepper and garrigue to go with a core of blackberry-styled fruit. Possessing plenty of ripe tannin, good mid-palate concentration and superb focus on the finish, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and have over two decades of longevity. I’m not sure if this estate produces one of the longest-lived Chateauneuf du Papes out there, or if it just seems that way due to the fact that they have such a fantastic library of old wines and I’m able to taste more of them! Nevertheless, Clos du Mont Olivet, which is now run by Thierry Sabon, is a brilliant estate that fashions traditional, age-worthy Chateauneuf du Papes that have incredibly broad drink windows. Various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysus Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Ideal Wines and Spirits, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300; The Wine Company, St. Paul, MN; tel. (651) 487-1212; and Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Dark ruby. Black raspberry and cherry compote on the pungent, intensely perfumed nose. Sappy, palate-staining red and dark berry flavors are impressively deep and braced by tangy acidity. Becomes weightier with aeration, which also brings out a licorice quality. Rich but suave and energetic, with excellent finishing clarity and length.
Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre, and 4% Cinsault, the knockout 2010 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape is significantly richer, and concentrated than the Le Petit Mont and displays great aromatics of stem, pepper, garrigue, leather, and roasted meat-like qualities that flow to a full-bodied, structured, and focused 2010. Beautifully done, with impressive balance, a stacked mid-palate, and admirable length, this beauty should be given 3-5 years of bottle age, and then consumed over the following two decades. Lovers of traditionally made, age-worthy Châteauneuf-du-Pape should have more than a few bottles of this in the cellar.
About the producer
Product details
Grenache/ Garnacha , Syrah / Shiraz, Mourvedre/Monastrell/Mataro
Red
Dry