Domaine de Bila-Haut - Côtes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem rouge 2020

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Michel Chapoutier, a prolific figure in the Rhône Valley wine world, has invested heavily in his Latour de France estate (with over 100 hectares of vines, extending into other villages such as Lesquerde, and a few parcels on the Côte Vermeille). As perfectionist as ever, his wines are affordable, offering good value for money.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A blend of 50% Syrah, 45% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre that was still in concrete when I tasted it, the 2020 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem is peppery and spicy, with lots of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit. Medium to full-bodied, creamy and supple to the touch, with a long finish, could this wine be better than the impressive 2019?

About the domain :

Michel Chapoutier's outpost in the Roussillon is a worthy extension of his operations in the Rhône Valley. The emphasis is on the same varieties - Grenache and Syrah, in varying proportions according to terroir - and the overall quality is very good, with the parcel selections particularly notable for their excellence and limited production volumes. "My opinion is that Roussillon is like the Northern Rhône in Languedoc-Roussillon," said Chapoutier at 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 2017 and 2018, which they describe as excellent vintages. It's worth noting that while Chapoutier mainly produces dry wines in Roussillon, he hasn't abandoned traditional styles.

Wine Spectator

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Latour De France Occultum Lapidem 2020, which has not yet been bottled, is more backward and reductive at this stage, but shows promising darker berry and blackcurrant fruit, as well as hints of violets and peppery herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has good concentration and length, but it's its purity and balance that really set it apart at this stage. A blend of 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre, de-stemmed and aged in concrete, it will drink brilliantly straight from the bottle and can be enjoyed for at least 7-8 years.