Côtes du Rhône Villages Inopia Rouge 2023

Côtes du Rhône Villages Inopia Rouge is a unique fusion of Burgundy finesse and Rhône power. Mounir and Rotem Saouma, of Burgundy’s Lucien Le Moine, have brought their meticulous winemaking approach to the Rhône, creating wines that honor tradition while pushing boundaries. Inopia Rouge showcases this balance, blending Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre to create a wine with depth, structure, and complexity. The result is a distinctive Rhône red that embodies the Saoumas' respect for both the region’s history and their own innovative approach.

Purchased as a desolate plot of land in Orange in 2011, the Saouma family saw potential where others did not. Eleven grape varieties (predominantly Grenache Noir alongside Mourvèdre, Counoise, Syrah and Cinsault) were planted that same year at a high density of 4,700 plants per hectare, well above the regional norm, with the express goal of producing low-yielding, quality fruit. The soils are predominantly poor clay to a depth of three feet, underlaid by 24 feet of small river stones known locally as Grès, which provide both favorable humidity in an otherwise dry climate and a rich source of mineral elements. All vineyard work is carried out by hand. It is this image of barren land transformed — combined with a minimal intervention philosophy — that inspired the name Inopia, from the Latin for "made from nothing."

Whole cluster maceration under cold temperatures for one week followed by fermentation without any pumping or punching down for 15 days. The wine, along with lees, is then pressed and transferred to French oak foudres (2,300 and 3,400 liters,) cement eggs (600 and 1,600 liters,) and 500 liter barrels for 18 months of aging without any racking. The wine is bottled without fining or filtering.

A dry winter with virtually no rainfall through the first quarter set a tense tone for the season. Spring showers from mid-May through June replenished moisture and enabled successful flowering, though they brought intermittent mildew pressure that demanded attentive vineyard work. A late August heatwave pushing temperatures to 40°C tested the vines hard, but a cooler September allowed recovery and delivered the vintage. Wines across all styles show ripe, expressive fruit character, with whites displaying good freshness and reds offering juicy, supple structure.

Tremendous finesse and balance. Silky, elegant with transparent and pure red fruit flavors and aromas.

Morbier, duck confit, mushroom and truffle risotto