The 2011 Cotes du Rhone Serre de Catin is a lovely, 100% Grenache blend that’s aged all in tank. Perfumed and fresh, with plenty of ripe cherries, underbrush, licorice and spice, it flows onto the palate with a medium-bodied, lively feel that carries nice fruit and ripe tannin. It’s a solid, mid-weight Cotes du Rhone that should be enjoyed over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2017. 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

The estate has two real sleeper selections in their two Cotes du Rhones. The 2009 Cotes du Rhone Terre de Latin is a 100% Grenache cuvee from pure sandy soils just outside of Chateauneuf du Pape. This is a beauty, with loads of framboise, kirsch, lavender, and licorice. It is medium-bodied, has unbelievable character and personality already, and because of its precociousness and emerging complexity, will be best drunk over the next 3-4 years. Clos du Mont Olivet is one of the great estates of Chateauneuf du Pape. They have been estate bottling for over 80 years, and readers looking for classic, old-style, traditional as well as long-lived Chateauneuf du Papes have a beacon of reassurance with the Sabon family, who have run this large domaine so impeccably well. 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

A beautiful sleeper of the vintage as well as an excellent value, the 2006 Cotes du Rhone Serre de Latin reveals sweet framboise and kirsch-liqueur notes intermixed with notions of licorice and Provencal herbs. It is soft, medium-bodied, and seductive. Enjoy it over the next 2-4 years. One of the benchmark historical producers of Chateauneuf du Pape, Clos du Mont Olivet has long been the bastion of one segment of the Sabon family. The consistent results have always been classic Chateauneuf du Papes that stand the test of time. With the introduction of their Cuvee du Papet in 1989, they created an old-vine, luxury product that can push Chateauneuf du Pape to its maximum expression of Grenache and Provencal typicity. Various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910; Vintner Select, Mason, OH; tel. (800) 597-1491; Dionysus Imports, Lorton, VA; H2 Vino, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 533-4178; and Ideal Wines and Spirits, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300