The 2018 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf du Pape Omnia is a red wine crafted in the Southern Rhone region of France. This wine, produced by Rotem & Mounir Saouma, is a proprietary blend and is characterized by its deep red hue and 14.5% alcohol content. The wine is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
Described by Vinous as “opaque ruby,” this wine offers a complex bouquet of ripe red and blue fruits, floral scents, dark chocolate, lavender, and baking spices. Josh Raynolds from Vinous rated it 94 points, noting that the wine is “chewy and focused on the palate, offering deep-pitched bitter cherry, black raspberry, and cola flavors, with aeration bringing energy and a sweeter cast to the wine.” The wine is noted for its long, taut finish with resonating spiciness and steadily building tannins.
Wine Spectator awarded the 2018 Omnia an impressive 96 points. Reviewer JM described it as a “dreamy wine” with a “plume of incense, mulled raspberry, and red tea aromas.” The wine is characterized by its “silky and refined feel” and a mix of “gently mulled red fruit, singed wood spice, and floral notes.” The finish is authoritative, leaving behind fresh and dried fruit, sous-bois, and mineral notes. According to Wine Spectator, this wine is best enjoyed from 2023 through 2040, with only 300 cases imported.
Wine & Spirits also gave this vintage a high score of 96 points. The review highlights the producer’s unique approach to winemaking, utilizing nine parcels spread across five of Châteauneuf’s villages and fermenting in a variety of containers. The wine is then left to mature for 18 months without interference. The result is a wine that combines “clarity, finesse, and grace with structure and complexity.” Initially, the wine presents a garnet hue with flinty reduction, but with air, it reveals the meatiness of grenache, rose scents, and bright raspberry. The longer the wine is open, the more complex it becomes, evoking impressions of berry patches, rose gardens, herbs, and stones.
In summary, the 2018 Rotem & Mounir Saouma Chateauneuf du Pape Omnia is a highly regarded red wine with excellent reviews from notable publications. Its complexity, structure, and evolving flavors make it a standout choice for wine enthusiasts.