Château Olivier is one of the historic estates of Pessac-Léognan, a Cru Classé de Graves whose origins stretch back to the 12th century and which has been owned by the de Bethmann family since 1886. The 60-hectare vineyard lies on the gravelly, clay-limestone and sandy soils characteristic of the northern Graves, with the gravel providing excellent drainage and helping Cabernet Sauvignon ripen with freshness and structure. The 2010 growing season began with a cold winter and slow spring, followed by a warm, particularly dry summer that produced healthy grapes with excellent ripeness while retaining aromatic freshness. Harvesting was carried out by hand between 20 September and 15 October, with individual parcels picked according to their maturity.
The 2010 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, fermented with careful extraction and undergoing malolactic fermentation in vats and barrels before maturation in oak. Now 16 years from vintage, it has developed beyond its primary fruit, with blackcurrant, blackberry and dark cherry joined by tobacco, cedar, spice and subtle earthy notes. The palate remains concentrated and fleshy, with fresh acidity and elegant, well-integrated tannins giving the wine both balance and length. Wine Enthusiast awarded the vintage 93 points, describing it as firm, tannic and rich with good future potential. It is now entering a particularly attractive mature phase: best enjoyed from 2026 through roughly 2035. Decant for around an hour and serve with roast beef, lamb, duck, game or mature hard cheeses.
