Rotem & Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf-du-Pape Arioso Blanc 2019

Rotem & Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf-du-Pape Arioso Blanc 2019

This is a 100% Grenache Blanc wine sourced exclusively from the Lieu-dit of Pierredon. Its vinification process is identical to that of Magis, but it is aged for 36 months on its full lees in a single 500 liter demi-mud, with no racking or sulfur added throughout the entire period. It boasts a rich, captivating complexity and elegant finesse, making it perfect for cellaring. Its juicy, fruity flavors are complemented by a smooth, seductive character, making it truly something special. With the perfect balance of apples, pears, citrus, melon, stonefruit, tropicals, and florals, as well as hints of minerality, nuttiness, oak, spices, and struck match, and a touch of vanilla, this is truly an extraordinary wine that is expertly crafted.

Critical Acclaim

96 Wine Spectator

Smoldering incense and salty iron share the stage with ripe red fruit and a lacquer of toasty cedar in this polished, expertly crafted red, which is texturally stunning, with extremely fine tannins effortlessly carrying the weight. The oak signature will continue to fade into the backdrop with a bit of cellaring, and the powerful, tightly wound core of graphite and fruit will unfurl, so patience will be rewarded. Beautiful and complex.

94 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

All Grenache from a north-facing parcel in Pignan, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Arioso spent three years in a combination of pices and puncheons. Yes, the result does have certain cedary overtones, but it also boasts black cherries and hints of strawberries. It’s full-bodied and intense, with an expansive mouthfeel and plentiful tannins, finishing dusty and long. With its combination of bold fruit and firm structure, it seems destined for a long evolution in the cellar.