Domaine de Bila-Haut - Côtes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem blanc 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 60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Grenache Gris, Cotes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem Blanc 2020 presents aromas of lime zest and white peach. Fermented 30% in barrels and aged in demi-muids, it's medium- to full-bodied and fleshy on the palate, a succulent effort that nicely balances richness and drinkability. This sample was taken from the vat before bottling, so it represents the final blend.

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:

Côtes Du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem Blanc 2020 (60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Grenache Gris) is a richer, more substantial white offering an incredible nose of white currants, flowers, honeyed minerality and toasted brioche. Aged mainly in stainless steel, but with 30% of the blend in demi-muids (some of which are new), it is concentrated, medium-bodied and beautifully balanced. A very good white in the making.