The name INOPIA, Latin for “made from nothing”, was chosen by the winemakers for the barren nature of the vineyard land they purchased and the minimal interventions they make in the winemaking process.
All the fruit for this wine is from the estate’s own vineyards around the winery in Orange. Mostly Grenache Noir with Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise. The wine is cold macerated with whole clusters for a week before undergoing natural fermentation. The Inopia is then matured in cement eggs, foudre and barrels on full lees (yeast cells) for 16 months with no additions bar a tiny amount of sulphur being added at bottling.
Displaying elegance and perfume far beyond expectations for the Southern Rhône, you could think you were in Burgundy upon first encountering this wine – plums, cherries and allspice all playing out over a lovely lingering finish. Decanting is recommended.
Best value of all, though, may by the Inopia, which comes from the ‘Clos Saouma’ vineyards sited in the Cotes du Rhone-Village of Vieuw Bouigard near Orange, surrounding the winery. The couple have nine hectares planted in this less expensive land – yet it’s soil potential is outstanding (clay over deep beds of river rolled pebbles), and the wines, – one third white, two thirds red – are made accordingly to the same lees nourished unhurried principals. – Decanter
