Mont-Olivet, Clos du
Summary
Clos du Mont-Olivet is a four-generation family estate in France's Southern Rhône, producing traditional Grenache-based wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, and Côtes du Rhône, where their old vines thrive in distinctive galets roulés and limestone soils. Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention with hand harvesting, concrete fermentation vessels, and aging in large neutral oak foudres to preserve the pure expression of their historic terroirs.
Heritage & Leadership
Clos du Mont-Olivet was established in the late 19th century by Joseph Sabon, who began assembling vineyard parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The domaine has remained in the Sabon family for four generations, with each generation contributing to its development while maintaining traditional Rhône winemaking practices. Following Joseph, his son Séraphin Sabon expanded the estate's holdings in the mid-20th century. The third generation saw Jean-Claude and Pierre Sabon take the helm, further refining the domaine's approach. Today, the estate is directed by David Sabon, who represents the fourth generation of family ownership. The Sabon family's commitment to their terroir has been unwavering throughout their stewardship, with a focus on expressing the distinctive character of their various parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and surrounding appellations.
Vineyards & Wines
Clos du Mont-Olivet's vineyard holdings span three southern Rhône appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, and Côtes du Rhône. In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, their parcels feature the appellation's characteristic galets roulés—large, rounded stones that store daytime heat and release it to the vines at night. These vineyards also contain sandy and limestone soils, contributing complexity to their wines. The domaine maintains old Grenache vines, with some parcels dating back to the early 1900s. Their vineyards are planted predominantly to Grenache, complemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and smaller amounts of the other permitted varieties of the appellation. The estate produces several cuvées from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including their traditional red blend and the "Cuvée du Papet," made from their oldest vines. Their portfolio extends to whites from Châteauneuf-du-Pape as well as reds from Lirac and Côtes du Rhône, showcasing the breadth of southern Rhône terroirs.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Clos du Mont-Olivet emphasizes traditional methods that allow for clear expression of terroir. Harvesting is conducted manually, with careful sorting to ensure only the highest quality fruit enters production. The domaine practices partial destemming, adjusting the percentage of whole clusters based on the vintage conditions and the specific cuvée being produced. Fermentation occurs in concrete tanks, a traditional vessel in the region that provides temperature stability without imparting flavors. For aging, the domaine relies primarily on large, neutral oak foudres rather than new small barrels, a choice that allows the wine to develop complexity while preserving the pure fruit character and sense of place. This measured approach to oak influence reflects the Sabon family's commitment to wines that speak clearly of their origin. Throughout the winemaking process, intervention is kept to a minimum, allowing the natural characteristics of the fruit and terroir to guide the final expression of each wine.