Rotem & Mounir Saouma, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Arioso Rouge 2014

In Burgundy, Mounir Saouma is not a big fan of red wines made with stems, but he says he loves the effect of stems of old-vine Grenache in Châteauneuf - though other red varieties are destemmed. This pale wine is fresh, graceful and lifted, a haunting combination of sweet woodland strawberry fragrance with something much stonier, denser and meatier. The 36 months on lees have left the wine textured, juicy, full and savourous. It appears grippy under analysis, yet the tannins are so well clad that they don’t perturb. It’s an ample, searching and fine red wine, proving that width and finesse can go together in Châteauneuf.

Drink 2020 - 2030

From a more challenging vintage, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Arioso is another beautiful wine from Mounir. Medium ruby-colored and translucent, with an incredibly Burgundian bouquet of sweet cherries, strawberries, wildflowers, forest floor, and spice, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, no hard edges, and a beautiful sweetness of fruit. Gaining depth and richness, as well as structure with time in the glassy, drink this incredibly classy Châteauneuf du Pape anytime over the coming 15 years.

Drink 2018 - 2033