Rotem & Mounir Saouma Inopia Blanc 2021
Burgundy meets the Rhône. 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 the Rhône Valley, and the results today are too extraordinary and distinct to ignore.
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.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal Composition | Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Viognier |
| Appellation | Côtes du Rhône - Villages |
| Alcohol | 14.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | FRANCE |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
A serious, well-packed white, with density to its juicy apple and melon flavors, flanked by toasted acacia, warm spices and heather on a full frame. Earthy underpinnings emerge with time in glass, adding complexity on the salty, rich finish, with notes of hazelnut. A beam of savory acidity maintains good tension. Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Bourboulenc and Roussanne. Drink now through 2027. - Wine Spectator, 92pts
Soils: Predominately poor clay soil (3 feet) with little river stones called “Grès” (24 feet deep) which provide both favorable humidity for the dry climate and plenty of mineral elements.
Farming: Seeing potential in the land, 11 grape varieties were planted in 2011 under high density (4,700 plants per hectare versus the normal 3,500) with the objective of quality low-yielding fruit. All vineyard work is done by hand.
