Rotem and Mounir Saouma
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Arioso 2016
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Mounir Saouma’s story in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape started with a state sale of a small plot in Pignan, one of the most famous vineyard areas of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Within this first vineyard acquisition, Mounir has one plot of 100% Grenache planted in the 1930s which yields naturally at a miniscule 1 ton per acre. From these vines he produces Arioso.
In the northeast of the appellation facing “the giant of Provence”, the massive Mont Ventoux mountain”, Pignan’s exposure brings freshness to the natural high ripeness achieved in this area. The rocky and sandy soils of this original plot add a sense of elegance. When you start tasting you understand why some have compared his wines to the great Rayas wines of the 1980s or, perhaps as expected given Mounir’s renown as owner and winemaker of Lucien Le Moine, to Burgundy. The sheer density of the low yielding, old vines dances with the freshness and elegance provided by the site. On the label is aptly explained: “Arioso is a style of opera somewhere between an aria and a recital. We chose this name for our wine because it is evocative of both the ethereal and profound”.
Vineyard
The small 100% plot of Grenache Noir planted in the 1930s produces bunches that have very few and small grapes, and are widely spaced. The yields are dramatically low as a result, but the grapes are very healthy due to the spacing, and the concentration from the low vigour and the age of the vines is intense.
Winemaking
The wine vinifies with whole clusters after an 11 day cold maceration, and then spends 3 years in 228 and 500 liter barrels, never racked or sulfured.
Vintage Note
2016 will go down as one of the greatest vintages the Southern Rhône has experienced. Crop set was large but even, and the summer was hot and dry, with perfectly timed rains preserving freshness in the wines. Harvest occurred with little difficulty from late September through mid-October, and the reds are structured, concentrated, ripe and yet fresh. The whites are successful across the board. Mounir’s 2016 Rhône wines are the essence of purity and concentration, with burgeoning aromatics and a structure that promises low, slow development in the cellar. The whites are dazzling.
Tasting Note
100% Grenache. Here Mounir’s whole-cluster vinification and long élèvage have combined with the immaculately ripe fruit of the 2016 harvest to create a red wine masterpiece. Layers of complex fruit flavors are balanced by a strong backbone of minerality to create a wine of great richness without s trace of excessive weight. The most Burgundian Arioso to date.
Color
Red
Appellation
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Reviews
"Compelling blend of richness and energy"
Vinous (96-97) - January 21, 2020 "Glistening ruby-red. Extremely sexy, spice-accented aromas of ripe red berries, incense and potpourri, along with a potent, smoky mineral element that adds vivacious lift. Offers sweet, palate-staining raspberry, cherry pastry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show remarkable definition and back-end thrust. Displays a compelling blend of richness and energy and finishes with outstanding clarity and almost undetectable, silky tannins that sneak in slowly."
"A beautiful Burgundian-style Châteauneuf"
Wine Spectator - August 18, 2021 "Thoroughly beguiling from the get-go, with captivating perfume and a seductive, silky mouthfeel that serves as a canvas for the range of cassis, bitter cherry, blood orange and damson plum fruit flavors infused with rooibos, sandalwood and garrigue. There's a subtle mineral twinge at the very end. A beautiful Burgundian-style Châteauneuf." - J.M.
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Inopia Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Rouge
Côtes-du-Rhône
The Saouma’s purchased a desolate plot of land in Orange in 2011. A minimal intervention approach combined with the image of the original barren land inspired the name of the wine, INOPIA, which translates to “made from nothing” in Latin.
Inopia Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Blanc
Côtes-du-Rhône
Rotem & Mounir’s whites are breathtaking. This village level wine is no exception, following the similar philosophy of exceptional terroir paired with high quality, low yielding fruit that remains undisturbed for an extended period of time after fermentation.
Rotem and Mounir Saouma Amphorae Collection
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Every year Mounir will select several crus to age in Amphorae, where they will remain untouched for around a year, with no input. Then a gentle pressing and bottling. These wines transmit the characteristics of their terroir in a pure, unvarnished manner. Not normal wines, but then again nothing Mounir Saouma does is normal .
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Magis
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Another unsurprising but jawdropping discovery when encountering the Saouma wines: Magis, Mounir’s white Chateauneuf from the heavily limestone Pierredon vineyard in Bedarrides. It makes sense that a producer of great white Burgundy would quickly become enchanted by the possibilities here. Only 3% of Chateauneuf is white, and virtually all of it is bottled after 6 months. Mounir’s chateauneuf is aged 18-24 months and has already been compared to some of the great white Burgundy crus for its depth and minerality.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Omnia
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Omnia, Latin for "all," is a wine that attempts to encompass the full diversity of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation, both in its terroir and vinification. Fruit comes from vineyards in all 5 of the Chateauneuf communes (Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Courthezon, Sorgues, Bedarrides and Orange) and aged in foudre, cement and 500 liter barrels.
