Le Clos du Mont-Olivet, a reference to Châteauneuf du Pape.

The Clos du Mont-Olivet is vineyard that produces red and white wines primarily based on the grape varieties Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre for the cuvées of red, and Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, and Grenache Blanc for the cuvée of white.

Created in 1932 by Séraphin Sabon, then passed on to his eldest son Joseph, it is still managed by the family: Jean-Claude and Pierre, the sons of Joseph, now take care of the domaine with their children Céline, David, and Thierry.

The wine-growing regions are magnificent, and the range reflects the winemakers: of great quality and simplicity.

Which wines from Clos Mont-Olivet should you buy?

To discover Clos du Mont-Olivet, one can choose a mixed case domaine (some left :-), or directly the cuvées the simplest AOPs: "La Quête", Cinsault in IGP Vaucluse, the Côtes du Rhône "Old Vines" or Côtes du Rhône white for a first taste experience with enjoyable wines to be savored in their youth. These are already wines with a southern character, marked by ripe fruit and distinctive southern grape varieties.

We can continue the discovery with both cuvées de Lirac:
A Protected Designation of Origin (AOP, or AOC) less illustrious than Châteauneuf-du-Pape but respected by connoisseurs for its good value for money when vinified by the best winemakers as is the case here, thanks to beautiful plots quite similar to those of Châteauneuf. The "simple" Lirac is to be enjoyed younger, the "cuvée Marie Jausset" is shaped for ageing.

Then we need to move on to the cuvées major du domaine, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The cuvée "normal", Clos du Mont-Olivet, is already a great wine for aging and begins to express itself after a few years of patience. The Cuvée du Papet, crafted only in great vintages, is the jewel of the Sabon family. It is a great wine with a very long aging potential, recommended, for example, to commemorate a birth after twenty or thirty years.

The old vintages of Mont-Olivet, often at more affordable prices than those of other quality wine estates. Vieux Télégraphe, Clos des Papes, Beaucastel, stand out to evoke more delicate sensations infused with classic evolving aromas (undergrowth, truffle) rather than true warm wines with strong musculature.

Lirac and Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites can be enjoyed in their youth, and some great vintages benefit from aging, but not as much as the reds.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape:

This is the cuvées major members of the family, sometimes discreet in their youth, assert themselves over time. The structure is not as prominent as in other Châteauneufs, and the alcohol resulting from the southern sun is present but well balanced by the fruit and often goes unnoticed. The two cuvées Châteauneuf-du-Pape pairs well with stewed meat dishes, game, and all southern cuisine, why not finely spiced beyond the French border? The whites perfectly complement scallops, fish, and poultry in sauce, in short, all seafood and poultry prepared in refined cooking. 

Lirac:

At the prices more accessible that Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Lirac are also in their shadow. However, they must be discovered; one is often surprised by their excellent level of quality in terms of their price. The Sabon family takes great pride in this and pays particular attention to their vines in Lirac. These benefit from approximately the same geological characteristics that their most beautiful plots are located in AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Lirac also claims its southern character, but at Mont-Olivet the cuvées of Lirac present this little extra of delicacy who we believe makes the best of the AOP Lirac. To be enjoyed with family cuisine, lamb, duck, accompanied by mushrooms for example. The cuvée Marie Jausset is a great wine for aging to be enjoyed after at least three years of patience.

Côtes du Rhône:

En red as in white, these are the simplest wines from our selection at Clos du Mont-Olivet. They can be tasted in their youthfulness on the fruit, and they pair easily with most cuisines, from salmon pasta (for the Côtes du Rhône blanc, even the Lirac) to simple salads (non-vinaigrette), appetizers, and various cheeses. 

What are the characteristics of Mont Olivet wines?

The wines of Clos du Mont-Olivet are wines complex with southern flair, originating from the classic grape varieties from the region: grenache, syrah, mourvèdre for the reds and clairette, grenache blanc and bourboulenc for the whites. The reds are great wines that reveal themselves with the time. They have aromas of garrigue and Spices, even of leather tending towards the forest floor and the truffle in time. The tannins roll in the mouth with softness, and the Balance between fruit and tannic structure is perfect, which makes the alcohol resulting from the fermentation of sun-soaked grapes almost minor. The whites gain complexity over time, while maintaining the freshness of their youth. In addition to floral aromas characteristics, their Texture is dense and very present on the palate with a length worthy of the finest white wines from France.

How to Taste the Wines of Mont Olivet? (Service, Aging)

Red wines are best enjoyed around 16 to 17°C, the whites at 11°C environ. The young wines can be decanters two hours in advance when the older vintages can remain in the bottle and be served gently to avoid the natural sediment in the glasses. The glasses will always have a “tulip” shape to appreciate the aromas (and their fascinating evolution throughout the meal) at their true value.

We recommend waiting about 5 years to taste Châteauneuf du Pape, which will be even better when they are 10 to 20 years older, for those who appreciate the complexity of evolved aromas and the softness of the texture softened by the years.

Comparative table for choosing the cuvée ideal:

What is the history of Clos du Mont-Olivet?

The initial vineyard parcel was called Ad montem Oliveti from the time of the popes, and is believed to have been acquired in 1547. It was actually in the early 1900s that Séraphin Sabon registered his surname for the first time at this location. He hails from Sérignan du Comtat and marries Marie Jausset (hence the homage name of the great cuvée de Lirac produced for the first time in 2018), the daughter of a landowner from Châteauneuf. Clos du Mont-Olivet was officially established in 1932, later passing to Joseph, the son of Séraphin. Generations have succeeded one another at the helm of Clos du Mont-Olivet, and today it is Céline, David, and Thierry Sabon, the grandchildren of Joseph, who share the management of the domaine.

What is the terroir of Clos du Mont-Olivet?

The Cos du Mont-Olivet consists of 21 Ha in AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 14 Ha of AOP Lirac, 10 Ha of Côtes-du-Rhône, and 3 Ha in IGP Gard. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape plots are very numerous and spread over many complementary terroirs : exposures and soil composition are very different (alluvium, sands, sandstone, clay, limestone), each suited to one grape variety rather than another. The grenache is predominant, followed by syrah, mourvèdre, and cinsault, then in accordance with the Châteauneuf myth, the complementary grape varieties (counoise, vaccarèse, muscardin, picpoul noir, and terret noir). For the white, it is the blend who makes its strength! Bourboulenc and Roussanne are the majority, supported by Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, and Picardan.

The opinions of the most respected Guides:

Guide Bettane + Desseauve: 5★/5 (exceptional). Céline, David, and Thierry Sabon manage this 21-hectare vineyard that benefits from exceptional viticulture and a beautiful variety of soils and subsoils. In the cellar, the practice of blending adds a superior complexity to most other Châteauneufs. The white wine has made significant progress in recent years, showcasing its naturalness and purity. The reds, on the other hand, are contrary to the demonstrative and warm Châteauneufs. Inimitable in style and the unique character of these wines, the domaine is at the top.

Guide RVF of the Best Wines of France 2026 (sept. 2025): 3★/4 (French excellence). Despite its name, this domaine very fragmented gathers almost all types of soils of the appellation. Traditionally crafted, the châteauneuf-du-pape reds are built to reveal themselves over time. At 10 years, they express themselves with grace. At 20 years, they reach a new level and deliver their true potential: one fully appreciates their aromas of truffle, underbrush, but also fruit, as if infused by time. One must not forget the châteauneuf-du-pape white, spirited and distinguished. When the vintage allows, the estate offers La Cuvée of Papet, dense and deep, crafted for aging, often reaching an exceptional level.

Guide RVF of the Best Wines of France 2024 (sept. 2023): 3★/4 (French excellence). Thierry Sabon has, for several vintages, brought finesse and refinement to the entire range, from the simple Côtes-du-Rhône to the grand. cuvée from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We are monitoring the progress of this domaine I'm sorry, but it seems that the content you provided is incomplete. Please provide the full HTML content you would like me to translate.All the wines display a great aging potential.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Jeb Dunnuck, Oct. 2013) One of my favorite estates and a bastion of traditionally made, age-worthy wines. This is an estate that is at the top of their game.

Presentation of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Appellation:

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a prestigious appellation located in the southern Rhône Valley. It is renowned for its red wines. powerful and Elegant, as well as its whites rares and refined.

The reds are robust and long on the palate. They showcase aromas of red and black fruits, spices, garrigue, and sometimes notes of leather and cocoa, even underbrush and truffle when they have been aged over time.

The whites are rarer, and their aromatic breadth is supported by the citrus freshness of the attack.

The most common grape varieties in Châteauneuf are the grenache, the syrah and the <mourvèdre> for the reds, and for the whites there clairette, the bourboulenc and the grenache blanc. the Clos du Mont-Olivet de la famille Sabon is just one of the four estates we have selected as the best value for pleasure in the AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape:

Domaine of Vieux Télégraphe (family Brunier)

Clos des Papes (family Avril)

Château de Beaucastel (family Perrin) 

The Clos du Mont-Olivet in video

The History of Mont-Olivet, the Sabon Family, and the Wines of the domaine.
(source: Michel Webbus, September 2014)

Discover the Great Wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos Mont-Olivet.