2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Olivets

Lots of pretty strawberry, rhubarb, spring flowers, and subtle spice notes all emerge from the 2021 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Olivets, a charming, medium-bodied, silky, impeccably balanced, and elegant 2021 based on 80% Grenache and 10% each of Cinsault and Syrah. It's drinking nicely today and will offer lots of pleasure over the coming 7-8 years or so. Under the helm of Didier Negron, Domaine Roger Sabon plays in the top handful of producers in the Southern Rhône. The estate covers roughly 17 hectares and 15+ parcels, spread throughout the appellation, from which they produce four Châteauneuf du Pape cuvées. The entry level Les Olivets (which was first made in 1955) comes from younger vines and is completely destemmed. The Cuvée Reserve comes from a single vineyard and is 70-80% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged in foudre and oak tanks. The Cuvée Prestige is based on 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest mostly Mourvèdre that’s aged in foudre, oak tanks, and demi-muids. The smallest production cuvée (there are usually just 100 cases produced), the Le Secret des Sabon is based mostly on a field blend of Grenache that’s raised completely in tronconique oak tanks. Looking at the latest releases, the 2022s from barrels all showed spectacularly well, with ripe, sexy, yet still concentrated and balanced profiles. This is clearly a great vintage here that might rival the 2019s. The 2021s show the fresher, more approachable and elegant style of the vintage, and the upper tier releases rank with the top handful of wines.

The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets is made from fully de-stemmed fruit. Akin to the Réserve from the same vintage, it has a slightly reductive character requiring some aeration before opening up. Showcasing glossy red fruit aromas and a pinch of menthol, it is remarkably elegant, medium to full-bodied and polished.