Clos du Mont-Olivet

The Sabon family connection to the Rhône Valley stretches back to 1547, though the formal estate of Clos du Mont-Olivet was established in 1932 by Séraphin Sabon. From the outset, the domain focused on Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a region whose complex mosaic of soils and Mediterranean climate suited the Grenache-dominant blends that would become the family's calling card. Séraphin's work laid the foundation for an estate that would grow carefully across the decades, acquiring parcels in multiple appellations while keeping the focus firmly on quality rather than volume. The name references the Mont Olivet lieu-dit, one of the recognizable zones within the broader Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

• Sabon family presence in the Rhône Valley documented from 1547, predating the formal estate by nearly four centuries
• Clos du Mont-Olivet officially founded in 1932 by Séraphin Sabon
• Estate named after the Mont Olivet lieu-dit within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation
• Montalivet is identified as the main parcel in the Châteauneuf holdings

Today the estate is run collaboratively by three fourth-generation cousins. Thierry Sabon leads the winemaking, working alongside cousin David in both vineyards and cellar, while cousin Céline handles commercial relations. This division of responsibilities allows the family to maintain close oversight of every stage of production, from the vine to the export market. The estate's reputation for offering high-quality Châteauneuf-du-Pape at prices considered reasonable for the appellation reflects a conscious family philosophy: accessibility without compromising craft. In 2024, Thierry described the vintage as 'homeric,' requiring careful vigilance in the vineyard and precision in winemaking decisions.

• Thierry Sabon leads winemaking as the fourth generation; David works alongside him in vineyards and cellar
• Cousin Céline manages all commercial relations for the domain
• Estate is known for keeping prices modest relative to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation's prestige
• Thierry described the 2024 vintage as 'homeric,' requiring precision work throughout the growing season

Clos du Mont-Olivet's holdings are spread across multiple appellations in the southern Rhône. The core is 21 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, broken across 15 different lieux-dits that capture a wide range of the appellation's soil types and exposures. The flagship Cuvée du Papet draws primarily from Bois Dauphin and La Crau, two parcels that provide the structural backbone for this wine, with some Grenache vines on those sites dating to 1901. The estate has also expanded into Lirac, with 14 hectares in that appellation including parcels at Saint Laurent des Arbres and Saint-Genies de Comolas. A further 10 hectares in Côtes du Rhône and 3 hectares in Vin de Pays du Gard round out the portfolio, giving the family a diverse range of appellations to work with.

• 21 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape across 15 lieux-dits, with Montalivet as the main parcel
• Bois Dauphin and La Crau provide the backbone fruit for Cuvée du Papet, including Grenache planted in 1901
• 14 hectares in Lirac, with parcels in Saint Laurent des Arbres and Saint-Genies de Comolas
• Additional holdings of 10 hectares in Côtes du Rhône and 3 hectares in Vin de Pays du Gard

The winemaking philosophy at Clos du Mont-Olivet is rooted in respect for terroir and minimal intervention in the cellar. All nine red grape varietals permitted under the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC are cultivated on the estate, giving the team considerable blending options across vintages. Cuvée du Papet employs around 50 percent whole bunch fermentation, a technique that adds structure, spice, and aromatic complexity to a wine already built on very old Grenache. After fermentation, wines are aged in a combination of older foudre, demi-muid, and barrique, with the use of older vessels ensuring oak influence remains a supporting character rather than the dominant one. All wines leave the cellar unfined and unfiltered. In the vineyard, no pesticides are used, and vine rows are plowed to manage weed growth naturally.

• Cuvée du Papet uses approximately 50% whole bunch fermentation, produced only in declared great vintages
• Wines aged in older foudre, demi-muid, and barrel; all bottled unfined and unfiltered
• No pesticides used in the vineyard; vine rows are plowed for weed control
• All nine permitted red varietals for Châteauneuf-du-Pape are grown on the estate

Clos du Mont-Olivet represents a reliable benchmark for the classical style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining power and freshness, finesse and amplitude in wines built to age. The estate's most sought-after wine, Cuvée du Papet, is made only in the best vintages and draws on some of the oldest Grenache in the appellation, vines that in some cases have been producing fruit since 1901. The domain's willingness to maintain reasonable prices despite its critical standing gives wine lovers access to serious, terroir-driven Châteauneuf without the premium commanded by some neighbors. The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape received a score of 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate in September 2024, confirming consistent quality recognition. With a four-generation family committed to both classical winemaking and sustainable viticulture, Mont-Olivet occupies an important place in any serious study of the southern Rhône.

• Cuvée du Papet is made only in great vintages from Grenache vines some of which were planted in 1901
• 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape scored 93 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (September 2024)
• Estate is noted for keeping prices modest relative to appellation prestige, a deliberate family philosophy
• Classical style defined as combining power and freshness, finesse and amplitude