Olivier Hillaire - Chateauneuf du Pape Classique 2011

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Olivier Hillaire Description

Olivier has 30+ years experience of winemaking with Chateauneuf-du-Pape. With his experience he has learned that keeping his yields very low helps produce wines with great concentration and soft, silky tannins. This great wine, like Olivier, can be enjoyed in its youth but will also age very well!

Olivier’s winemaking career began almost 30 years ago when he started out at Domaine des Relagnes. After 20+ years of hard work as winemaker at the estate, raising the quality of wine with each vintage that would allow it, Domaine des Relagnes, not owned by Hillaire, was sold in 2005. Olivier immediately created his own label and, using the charm that he was abundantly blessed with, was actually able to convince the owner of Relagnes, Henri Boirin (Olivier’s Ex-Father-in-law), to keep a couple of hectares so that Olivier could rent the parcels to get himself started. Naturally, Olivier chose the very best parcels! Most notably ‘Les Petits Pieds d’Armand’ from which Olivier makes his top cuvee.

Wine Spectator: 91 Points

A juicy, racy version, featuring a coiled core of red licorice, linzer torte and red currant preserves, backed by singed apple wood and tobacco notes, with a stony undercurrent on the finish. Should stretch out after modest cellaring.

Wine Advocate: 91 Points

The 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape (90% Grenache and 10% Syrah) offers loads of strawberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with Christmas fruitcake, incense, roasted herb and spice box notes. This medium to full-bodied, luscious 2011 is ideal for drinking over the next 7-10 years.

Vinous: 90 Points

Saturated ruby. Fresh black raspberry and cherry-cola scents are complemented by suggestions of potpourri and licorice. Smooth, gently sweet and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle, offering juicy red and dark berry flavors that pick up a refreshingly bitter edge with air. Supple tannins frame the clinging finish, which strongly repeats the red berry and spice notes.