Rotem & Mounir Saouma : Arioso 2021

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Arioso 2021 Rotem & Mounir Saouma

Tasting

Colour
The colour of this French red wine reveals a light, delicate hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet stands out for its remarkable complexity, releasing scents of cooked strawberries and rose petals, harmoniously interwoven with notes of white pepper, sage, thyme and bark.

Palate
With a silky, mineral texture, the palate delivers wonderful energy. It reveals flavours of black berries supported by ripe tannins, refreshing acidity and remarkable concentration, all unfolding with great fluidity.

Food and wine pairing

This great wine pairs beautifully with rich game meats such as venison, served with butternut squash, Brussels sprouts or forest mushrooms like chanterelles. It will also enhance braised lamb with Mediterranean herbs and citrus.

Service and storage

Built to stand the test of decades, the Arioso 2021 shows exceptional aging potential and can be enjoyed until around 2048.

Other characteristics

The alcohol content of this cuvée ranges between 15 and 16%.

The pure and singular expression of a great Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine

The estate

Founded in 2009, the Rotem & Mounir Saouma estate is the result of the vision of a passionate couple, Mounir Saouma and Rotem Brakin. Located in Orange, at the heart of the Rhône Valley, the estate spans approximately 37 hectares. The current owners cultivate a distinctive philosophy here, combining traditional methods with a highly non-interventionist approach. Their absolute pursuit of pure terroir expression has quickly established the estate among the region's most essential references.

The vineyard

The grapes come from the famous Pignan lieu-dit, within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. This historic terroir is characterized by multicoloured soils scattered with rolled pebbles that store heat. The vines, planted in the 1930s, are cultivated according to biodynamic principles with a high planting density. This approach, combined with the advanced age of the vines, results in extremely low yields, fostering exceptional aromatic concentration in the hand-harvested and hand-sorted berries.

Winemaking and aging

The making of the Arioso 2021 begins with an eleven-day cold maceration, followed by whole-bunch fermentation at low temperature. The wine then undergoes an extended aging period of three years in 228- and 500-litre barrels. During this time, the wine rests on its total lees without any racking, a method that preserves the authenticity of the fruit. Pressing is carried out gently using a small vertical basket press to extract the tannins with the utmost delicacy.

Grape variety

100% Grenache