Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf du Pape, 1988

 

Another day, another Chateauneuf du Pape. As good as the 1994 Domaine du Haut des Terres Blanches was, this 1988 Clos du Mont Olivet is even better. Both wines are heavy in Grenache (about 80%) and some of the Grenache in each wine comes from old vines in la Crau, arguably the best vineyard in the appellation. 1988 is, of course, a far better vintage than 1994, and this 1988, although six years older, presents as a much younger wine.

This bottle has been in my cellar for at least 30 years, yet the cork was in excellent shape with wine stain on less than 1/4 inch. Much deeper color than the 1994. Smells and flavors are also what you might expect from a wine 10 or 15 years younger. Strawberries, black raspberries and spice. Not as intense or savory as the Haut des Terres Blanches but the fruit flavors are deeper and even more concentrated. Long, long finish that gets better with every sip. An exceptional Chateauneuf.