Domaine de Bila-Haut - Côtes du Roussillon L'Esquerda 2018
94/100
Jeb Dunnuck
90-93/100
Robert Parker
14/20
Bettane & Desseauve
88/100
Wine Spectator
"He's got it all"
“The 2018 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde l'Esquerda shows exceptional potential. Hints of crushed stone lend this full-bodied red a sense of austerity, while notes of blueberry and cherry are bold and robust, giving way to a long, enticing finish. ” (Wine Advocate). Fruity, appetizing, intoxicating, and slightly tannic, it truly has it all!
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Eye
Deep, rich color
Nose
Very fresh, with a mature character and notes of dark fruit, warm spices, flowers (violet), and a hint of smokiness (smoke)
Palate
A smooth yet powerful attack, with tannins that are both robust and well-structured, and a fresh finish that is light on the palate
Serve
At 16-18°C
Open
Decanting recommended
Drink before
2024
Food and wine pairings
Pairs well with osso bucco, beef stew, quiches, bacon pie, steak tartare...
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated 14/20 (Good wine)
Rated 2 stars (A solid, recommendable production, though slightly more conventional and uniform than the previous one)
About the wine:
Well-structured, it offers a delicate texture, dark fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry, Burlat cherry), and spicy notes. Its rustic character makes it a perfect match for hearty dishes.
About the estate:
Michel Chapoutier, a prominent and prolific figure in the Rhône Valley wine industry, has invested heavily in his estate in Latour de France (which spans over 100 hectares of vineyards, extending into neighboring villages such as Lesquerde, as well as a few plots in the Côte Vermeille). True to his reputation for perfectionism, he produces affordable wines that offer excellent value for money.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated wine (2019 guide) 90–93/100 (Excellent wine)
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the wine:
A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the 2018 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde l'Esquerda shows great promise. Hints of crushed stone lend this full-bodied red a sense of austerity, while the notes of blueberry and cherry are bold and robust, giving way to a long, enticing finish.
About the estate:
Michel Chapoutier’s outpost in Roussillon is a worthy extension of his operations in the Rhône Valley. The focus is on the same grape varieties—Grenache and Syrah, in varying proportions depending on the terroir—and the overall quality is very good, with the single-vineyard selections particularly notable for their excellence and limited production volumes. "My view is that Roussillon is like the northern Rhône within Languedoc-Roussillon," Chapoutier said during our February tasting in the small village of Latour-de-France. He and the rest of his team are very optimistic about the prospects for the 2017 and 2018 vintages, which they describe as excellent. It should be noted that while Chapoutier primarily produces dry wines in Roussillon, he has not abandoned traditional styles.
Wine Spectator
Wine rated 88/100 (Good wine)
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Wine Spectator)
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine rated 94/100
Rated: Recommended