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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Michel Chapoutier, a key and prolific figure in the Rhône Valley wine world, has invested heavily in his Latour de France estate (with over 100 hectares of vineyards, extending into other villages such as Lesquerde, and a few plots on the Côte Vermeille). True to form in his perfectionism, he offers affordable wines that are good value for money.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

A blend of 60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Grenache Gris, the 2020 Cotes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem Blanc offers aromas of lime zest and white peach. Fermented 30% in barrels and aged in demi-muids, it is medium-bodied 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 estate:

Michel Chapoutier's outpost in 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 depending on the terroir—and the overall quality is very good, with the single-vineyard selections being particularly noteworthy for their excellence and limited production volumes. "My opinion is that Roussillon is like the northern Rhône in 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 2017 and 2018, which they describe as excellent vintages. It should be noted that while Chapoutier mainly produces dry wines in Roussillon, he has not abandoned traditional styles.

Wine Spectator

James Suckling

About wine:

A solid, structured, and creamy blend of Grenache Blanc and Vermentino. It has notes of dried mango, lemon peel, and white peach. It is medium-bodied, with a fresh hint of blanched almonds that brings freshness and liveliness to the palate. Well-balanced and concentrated, with a savory finish. Made from organically grown grapes. Ready to drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

The Côtes Du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem Blanc 2020 (60% Grenache Blanc and 40% Grenache Gris) is a richer, more substantial white wine with an incredible nose of white currants, flowers, honeyed minerality, and toasted brioche. Aged primarily 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. This is a very good white wine in the making.