Domaine de Bila-Haut - V.I.T. Visitare Interiore Terrae 2015

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:

The deep ruby/purple-colored 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Visitare Interiore Terrae (60/40 grenache and syrah) offers a beautifully complex nose of blackcurrant, cassis, damp earth (granite), chocolate and roasted meat. Rich, full-bodied, unctuous and sexy as can be, it offers plenty of sweet fruit, no harshness and a great finish. A wonderful wine to drink over the next 7-8 years.

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

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

A month-old preserved cask sample, although unlike its stablemates, this wine seems very slightly tired on the nose. The dose of sulfur is not as high as for the others? Medium crimson color. Ample, round, very warm but full of terroir. Just as exciting as this producer's 2015 Rhônes du Nord, if not more so! Really rich and lively. Firm with a strong rock-sucking element at the end. Bravo! I imagine a really fresh sample would be even more impressive.

Jeb Dunnuck