Domaine de Bila-Haut - Côtes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem blanc 2021

Bettane & Desseauve

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 (with more than 100 hectares of vineyards, extending into other villages such as Lesquerde, as well as a few plots on the Côte Vermeille). True to his reputation for perfectionism, he produces affordable wines that offer good value for the price.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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 being particularly remarkable for their excellence and limited production volumes. “My view is that Roussillon is like the northern Rhône within the Languedoc-Roussillon region,” 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

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The 2021 Côtes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem Blanc takes things to the next level and is a captivating white wine from this region. Blended from 60% White Grenache and 40% Gray Grenache, it offers rich hints of crushed citrus and honeyed lemon, along with honeyed and minty mineral notes in the background. I love its concentration, medium body, lively acidity, and clean, dry, long finish that leaves you wanting another glass.