Winemaker Notes
Always one of the best bargains in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Les Olivets is open-knit and vibrant.
Blend: 80% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 10% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Very flattering to taste, even at this early stage, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape les Olivets boasts layered, nuanced aromas of fresh flowers and ripe raspberries. Full-bodied and rich, yet silky, this blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Cinsault and 10% Syrah finishes long, with just a touch of warmth. It looks like a delicious CdP for early drinking.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 -
Jeb Dunnuck
The younger vine cuvée from this great estate is the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Olivets, a terrific effort in the vintage. Deep ruby/plum-hued, with an attractive nose of darker fruits, smoked underbrush, licorice, and pepper, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a round, lush mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. I’d be thrilled to drink a bottle any time over the coming decade. This cuvée is 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Cinsault, brought up in foudre and tronconique tanks.
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Vinous
Composed from a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsaut, the 2020 Châteauneuf- du-Pape Les Olivets comes in at 15.5% alcohol, which is 1% more than the 2021. This is a difference often seen when comparing red wines from these two vintages from the same producer. The wine displays bright aromas of strawberry jam, raspberry compote, crème de cassis, licorice and dried lavender. Rich and opulent, lively acidity captures the freshness, keeping everything in check
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Wine Spectator
A captivating red, with cherry, incense, red tea, anise and fresh raspberry flavors that show density and polish on the palate, with a subtle note of apple wood smoke in the background. Reveals graphite shavings that give the palate a firming edge, with good energy through the finish. Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.