Made to be more enjoyable young, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Petit Mont still includes some rich tannins. Notes of leather and dried cherries come together with warmth and spice on the finish.

In 2014, the younger vines struggled, so most entry level cuvees lagged the older vine cuvees by a decent margin. However, that’s not the case here and Mont Olivet’s 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape le Petit Mont is well worth seeking out. Made from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre and the rest a mix of permitted varieties, its medium ruby color is followed by a downright elegant, soft, forward wine that has terrific notes of kirsch and framboise, dried flowers, garrigue and rose petals. Medium-bodied, silky, with ripe tannin and no hard edges, it’s already hard to resist, but I suspect will evolve nicely for 7-8 years on its impeccable balance.

Moving to the 2012s, all of which were tasted out of barrel, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Petit Mont is an up-front, fruit-loaded effort that has vibrant cherry fruit, wild herbs and sweet spice qualities to go with a medium-bodied, supple and charming profile on the palate. Straight-up delicious, in an easygoing, quaffable style, it should be consumed in its fresh and lively youth. Drink 2014-2018. One of my favorite estates and a bastion of traditionally made, age-worthy wines, Clos du Mont-Olivet has been run by the Sabon family since 1932. Thierry Sabon, who studied physics before working at the estate, has made the wines since 2001. In top vintages, they produce three red Chateauneufs, a fruit-forward Petit Mont (meaning small hill), a classic traditional blend, and their top cuvee, the Cuvee du Papet. On top of this, they release a number of character-filled Cotes du Rhones. This is an estate that is at the top of their game. Various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysus Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Ideal Wines and Spirits, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300; The Wine Company, St. Paul, MN; tel. (651) 487-1212; and Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622

Moving to their Chateauneufs and a ripe, supple and easygoing effort, the 2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Petit Mont offers up loads of ripe cherry and blackberry fruit, olive, leafy herbs and fennel to go with a medium-bodied, up-front profile on the palate. It’s delicious, but won’t make old bones (nor is that the point). Enjoy it over the coming 4-5 years. Drink now-2018. One of my favorite estates and a bastion of traditionally made, age-worthy wines, Clos du Mont-Olivet has been run by the Sabon family since 1932. Thierry Sabon, who studied physics before working at the estate, has made the wines since 2001. In top vintages, they produce three red Chateauneufs, a fruit-forward Petit Mont (meaning small hill), a classic traditional blend, and their top cuvee, the Cuvee du Papet. On top of this, they release a number of character-filled Cotes du Rhones. This is an estate that is at the top of their game. Various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Dionysus Imports, Manassas, VA; tel. (703) 392-7073; Ideal Wines and Spirits, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300; The Wine Company, St. Paul, MN; tel. (651) 487-1212; and Import Wines, Middleton, WI; tel. (608) 833-8622