Rotem et Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf-du-Pape Arioso 2018

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Arioso is a killer wine. This cuvée is still 100% Grenache from the sandy soils of the lieu-dit Pignan, which is certainly one of the appellation's great terroirs. Sensational notes of blackcurrant, violet, crushed stone and spring flowers meld into a deep, layered and seamless 2016, which displays the purity and elegance of the vintage as well as fabulous depth and richness. Elegance and purity are the buzzwords here, but the wine offers generous texture and concentration. It will benefit from short cellaring and be extremely long-lived... Jeb Dunnuck