Chateau Olivier 2015

Château Olivier's history dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was originally a keep within a fiefdom known as Olivey. During the Hundred Years' War, the area was frequented by notable figures such as Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince, and Bertrand Du Guesclin, a French military commander. In the early 16th century, Arthus d’Olivey, Lord of Léognan, transformed the keep into a fortified château and planted the first vineyards. By the 17th century, the estate had passed through various noble families, eventually becoming linked to the famous philosopher Montesquieu.

The 18th century saw significant expansion as Bordeaux's wine industry flourished, and Château Olivier was restructured to include modern winery facilities. In 1867, the Bethmann family, prominent Protestant bankers from Frankfurt, acquired the estate. Alexandre de Bethmann, co-owner of Gruaud-Larose and former mayor of Bordeaux, played a significant role in its development. The Bethmann family has maintained ownership for over 136 years, with Eléonore de Bethmann taking over governance in 2021, ensuring the estate remains in the family's hands. Château Olivier received its Grand Cru Classé classification in the official 1953 Classification of Graves wine. 

Château Olivier is located on the left bank in the Graves region, south of Bordeaux in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The terroir of Château Olivier is characterized by a unique combination of gravelly, clayey and sandy soils. The château's location also favors the cultivation of classic grape varieties, as it is surrounded by vast forests and rolling landscapes, and benefits from a microclimate that is highly favorable to viticulture. 

Château Olivier 2015 is a Graves Grand Cru Classé composed of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. This vintage has a deep, slightly matte color with garnet highlights. The bouquet is intense and generous of stewed black fruit, with tertiary notes of sandalwood and leather adding complexity to the olfactory experience. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate. The mid-palate is full-bodied, dense and voluptuous. The tannins are ripe and ample. The mid-palate is marked, with strong concentration and very good length. This wine has a long finish.

"Medium garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Olivier is a little reticent at this youthful stage, offering exciting glimpses at fragrant earth, black raspberries, black cherries and red currant scents with suggestions of mossy bark, bay leaves and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with mineral and earth-laced red and black fruits with firm, grainy tannins and a lovely herbal lift on the finish. "-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2/21/2018, Issue 224), Ratings: 91, Drink: 2022-2028

"The 2015 Château Olivier offers vivacious red cherry and crisp strawberry fruit on the nose, biding its time, gently unfolding in the glass until it takes full flight. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and smooth wild strawberry and raspberry fruit, laced with cedar and a pleasant saltiness. This is one of the best Château Olivier reds in recent years. This is one of the best wines from Château Olivier in recent years, thanks to its greater depth and harmony. Laurent Lebrun has done a great job here." -Neal Martin,  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/27/2016, Issue 224) Ratings: 91-92, Drink: 2021-2045