2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Olivets

The 2006 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets offers up earthy black cherry, leather and mineral aromas that lead into a medium bodied, textured palate. This firms up on the finish.

Ruby-red. Seductive scents of red berries, lavender and herbs, with a gently smoky undertone. The palate features deeper kirsch and dark berries and a gentle note of garrigue The sweet finish features gentle tannins and very good thrust. Pretty tasty right now, but also has the balance to age.

The succulent, Provencal 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Olivets possesses loads of black cherry fruit, spice, and garrigue, a roasted meatiness, and firmer tannins than in 2007. It should drink well for 10-12 years. Proprietor Jean-Jacques Sabon and the other younger family members are taking these wines to even greater quality heights than previously attained. The new vintages possess updated, more polished labels, but more importantly, the wines continue to go from what were very strong efforts in the past, to even deeper concentration, complexity, and depth. All four cuvees are now routinely outstanding, with the top two offerings, the Cuvee Prestige and the limited production Le Secret des Sabon, compelling Chateauneufs. As with many estates, the 2007s exhibit the vintage’s succulent, juicy, incredibly pure fruit and tremendous freshness and vivacity, all packed into substantial, full-bodied wines with surprisingly high alcohols given their vibrancy. One might expect such greatness in 2007 in Chateauneuf du Pape, but the Sabons have also hit the heights in the excellent 2006 vintage. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC: tel. (704) 358-1565