Rotem & Mounir Saouma Inopia Rouge Cotes du Rhone Villages 2019
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James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Wine
Spectator
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Like his Châteauneuf-du-Papes, Mounir’s Inopia exhibits tremendous finesse and balance. Silky, elegant with transparent and pure red fruit flavors and aromas.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This needs a bit of air, but with time you are greeted with aromas of black cherries, plums and black licorice. Medium-to full-bodied with silky tannins. Very clear red and black fruit with some earthy undertones. Layered, but approachable with lots of distinctive character which you do not typically find with a Cotes-du-Rhone village. Drink now.
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Wine Enthusiast
Fresh rhubarb and red cherries harmonize with black olives, fresh thyme, bacon fat, a hint of smoke, and intense stone and granite on the nose. The delectable palate boasts a concentration of red ripe fruits made complex by layers of savory herbs and meatiness. This impressive wine should pair well with an elevated charcuterie platter.
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Wine Spectator
Stylish, with sandalwood and balsam wood notes infusing a core of lightly mulled plum and cherry. The lengthy finish is lined with mesquite and tea. Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Syrah and Cinsault.
Other Vintages
2018-
Wine
Spectator
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Jeb
Dunnuck
Let’s start at the beginning: five acres in Pignan. A sale was being conducted through the French state that presented the opportunity to buy a somewhat neglected parcel adjoining some outstanding plots (notably Rayas’ Bois de Rayas and the Pignan lieu-dit). The Saoumas have long loved the area and its wines, have many friends and saw they could potentially acquire land in a way that would not be possible in Burgundy. The sheer vitality of these vines today is extraordinary.
They know and love Mounir Saouma because of the way he transmits both unknown and acknowledged great crus of Burgundy through his elevage into masterpieces, but it turns out he may be an even more talented vineyard manager. Mounir’s philosophy is in theory straightforward. He has worked to improve drainage in his vineyards, works with organic manures, and doesn’t mind the low yields he is getting in his plots. As is the case with most things in life, simplicity appears only after deliberation and experience. From this plot, Mounir has been able to acquire additional vineyards, and today farms a total of 21 acres across eight vineyards in all five villages of the appellation (Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Bedarrides, Sorgues, Courthezon, and Orange).
The kaleidoscope of the terroirs he works with is reflected in the cellar, as well, where a combination of barrels, foudres, cement, and eggs are used, all except the last of which can be considered “traditional” within the diversity of Chateauneuf’s viticultural history. 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 the various vessels. The wines are never punched down, never racked, and never sulfured until a light addition a month before bottling. They age for between 24-36 months, including the white, which as you might expect has an outsized focus here.
The wines are stunning: precise, intense, complex, expressive visions of Chateauneuf.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
An appellation full of some of the most delightful and particularly charming reds, Côtes du Rhône Villages includes the best villages of the greater Côtes du Rhône appellation. The possibility for an appellation promotion exists for every named village but each has to achieve and prove superior quality before an upgrade will be granted. The main ones today are Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne.
The Gigondas appellation, while sometimes producing wines with a touch of rusticity, can often rival Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Its elevations are higher and soils richer in limestone. Vacqueyras reds are more concentrated than the more general Côtes du Rhône reds and must be at least one half comprised of Grenache by law. Beaumes de Venise also includes some excellent higher elevation spots for making snappy, fruity and spicy reds but historically the appellation’s esteem came from its fragrant, sweet and golden Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.