Decanter’ Matt Walls suggests to look beyond the well-known estates and renowned appellations of the Rhône in search of the hidden talents and innovative producers in the region.
Included in the list of producers is Rotem and Mounir Saouma, of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The pair run a successful négociant house in Burgundy, Lucien Le Moine, which has allowed them to invest in vineyards in Châteauneuf despite the increase in land prices. Here, Mounir takes inspiration in the ancient ways of winemaking and adapts the practices to become his own. Walls elaborates that “for reds, he (Mounir) opts for a two-week cold maceration and long, slow fermentations; he then ages the wines in barrel or amphora for up to five years – no racking, pumping, fining or filtration […] These are among the appellation’s most engaging wines.”
To learn more about Rotem and Mounir Saouma, read the full article HERE.
Related Wines
Rotem and Mounir Saouma
Rotem and Mounir Saouma 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.
Rotem and Mounir Saouma
Rotem and Mounir Saouma 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.
Rotem and Mounir Saouma
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.
Related Producers
Rotem and Mounir Saouma
Rhône Valley, France
Burgundy meets the Rhone. An utter respect for tradition, and in some ways a total break. We've watched as Mounir and Rotem Saouma, of Burgundy producer Lucien Le Moine, slowly developed their estate and wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and the results today are too extraordinary and distinct to ignore.