Rotem and Mounir Saouma

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Omnia 2015

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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Mounir Saouma likes to describe Chateauneuf-du-Pape as a mosaic, with all the wild traditions and differences together making for very different interpretations. Omnia, Latin for “all,” is his attempt to encompass the entire region’s terroir and winemaking history (and perhaps future) in one glass. The fruit comes from 9 vineyard parcles across all 5 of the Chateauneuf communes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Courthezon, Sorgues, Bedarrides and Orange (in early vintages, when the Saoumas did not have all the vineyards they have today, they would purchase fruit; today, Rotem & Mounir Saouma is 100% Estate). The wine is then vinified and aged in foudres, cement and 500 liter barrels – a little bit of everything.

The aging is as Mounir ages his Burgundies: extremely long, never racked, no fining, no filtration. It would be easy to say that we expected the experience running one of Burgundy’s leading producers, Lucien Le Moine, would show in Mounir’s wines. But the actual results need to be tasted to be believed and understood: a wine with beguiling fruit and savory richness, yet extraordinary finesse and detail.

Vineyard

From his original plot of 5 acres in Pignan, Mounir has been able to acquire additional vineyards, and today farms a total of 21 acres across 9 vineyards in all 5 villages of the appellation.

Winemaking

The wine is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre. The fruit is pressed firmly with small presses dating from the late 1970s, left in tank to macerate at relatively cool temperatures for 8 days, and then transferred to various vessels.
The kaleidiscope of the terroirs he works with is reflected in the cellar, as well, where a combination of barrels, foudres, cement, and even eggs are used, all except the last of which can be considered “traditional” within the diversity of Chateauneuf’s viticultural history. The wines are never punched down, never racked, and only receive minimal sulfur after 18 months.

Vintage Note

After the moderately wet 2014 vintage, 2015 was a relief, with hot, dry weather predominating. Drought conditions slowed maturity while raising sugar levels, and a burst of rain in August caused acid levels to drop. The powerful reds are rich and tannic wines that will take some time to smooth out and unfold. The white can be heady. Here again, Mounir’s approach handled the vintage perfectly, and he focused on moderate extraction, producing red wines of elegance and detail. His whites are more ‘Meursault’ than ‘Puligny’ in this vintage – rich and savory.

Tasting Note

What can you say about these wines? It’s high drama everywhere: intensely lifted perfume of flowers and red fruit; dense, rich fruit and power, but wild savory notes, intense stony minerality. Yet the power is somehow also so vibrant and precise. A “new old” style of Chateauneuf.

Color

Red

Appellation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Suggested Retail Price

$111.00

Reviews

"Outstanding delineation and a sexy floral nuance"

Vinous - January 16, 2020 "Deep brilliant crimson. An expansively perfumed, expressive bouquet evokes ripe cherry and raspberry, incense, lavender and Moroccan spices, and a smoky mineral flourish adds urgency and lift. Shows impressive depth as well as energy in the mouth, offering alluringly sweet red fruit liqueur, floral pastille, succulent herb and spicecake flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. In a suave, distinctly graceful style for its heft, showing outstanding delineation and a sexy floral nuance on the strikingly long, penetrating finish, which features deftly interwoven tannins and resonating mineral and red fruit qualities."

“This is sublime"

Wine Spectator - September 26, 2018 “This is sublime, with beguiling rooibos tea, blood orange and sandalwood aromas out front followed by a long and silky display of lightly mulled cherry, damson plum and raspberry fruit flavors. Light shiso leaf and sanguine notes lace up the finish while the fruit echoes admirably.”

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 Arioso

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

From his original 5 acres in Pignan, 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, a Chateauneuf of astounding depth and finesse.