The entry-level Côtes-du-Rhône from Mont-Olivet is a blend of roughly two-thirds Grenache and one-third Syrah with a dollop of Cinsault. The vines are cultivated in an area knowns as “La Blancherie”, on an alluvial soil from the Würm glacial period, and in which fossils are often found.
Much more serious, and a big, structured effort, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape has loads of minerality, pepper and garrigue to go with a core of blackberry-styled fruit. Possessing plenty of ripe tannin, good mid-palate concentration and superb focus on the finish, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and have over two decades of longevity.