Rotem and Mounir Saouma

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Magis 2019

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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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.

Vineyard

From the first little bottling of white that Mounir did, he became more intent on buying and in fact planting vineyards to produce white Chateauenuf. This wine has been in the past fully from the heavily limestone Pierredon vineyard in Bedarrides, but additional plots in Courthezon have been planted.

Winemaking

Spring in the Châteauneuf du Pape was very wet, interrupting the flowering and causing significant crop loss (up to 40%). The Summer was stable and dry, leading into perfect autumn which allowed even ripening and excellent phenolic development. Harvest took place in late September under clear skies. The whites are elegant with great length and nobility, their elegance and freshness enhanced by the careful élèvage.

Vintage

Spring was very wet, interrupting the flowering and causing significant crop loss (up to 40%). The summer was stable and dry, leading into perfect autumn which allowed even ripening and excellent phenolic development. Harvest took place in late September under clear skies. The whites are elegant with great length and nobility. Mounir took perfect advantage of the vintage, producing whites that are elegant and fresh, rich without heaviness.

Tasting Note

Mystifying how this wine ehibits both suppleness and tension, and a piercing minerality that is unique among Chateauneuf whites we have experienced.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne

Appellation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Alcohol

14.0%

Reviews

"Beautiful and distinctive"

Wine Spectator - June 3, 2021

"A beauty in all aspects, from the lush and fine-grained feel, to the wide swath of melon, peach, pear, yellow plum and yellow apple fruit flavors, to the subtle brioche, salted butter, white truffle and macadamia nuances that chime in on the finish. Everything echoes in unison at the very end." - J.M. 

"Seductive mouthfeel"

Wine Spectator - May 3, 2022

“A stunner, with a seductive mouthfeel as both creamed and dried yellow apple, yellow plum and white peach flavors hold center stage, backed by a range of shortbread, macadamia nut and verbena notes. Showy but with razor-sharp focus on the finish, as a last echo of hazelnut husk lingers. Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Bourboulenc.” - J.M. 

 

"Nuance and depth"

Vinous - September 8, 2022

"A perfumed nose of flint, gunpowder, wet stone, baked lemons, pears and apple skin. Full-bodied with so much nuance and depth. Layered and effortlessly balanced. This really commands your attention from start to finish. Leaves a buzz on the palate. Superb. This can age, but also why wait?" - J.S. 9/22 

 

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 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.

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.