Domaine de Bila-Haut - Côtes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem rouge 2020
Roussillon
Red
Sold individually
Drink or Keep
93-95/100
Jeb Dunnuck
-
90-92/100
Robert Parker
"Another fine vintage for this cuvée, which shines with purity and elegance".
"[...] the Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem 2020 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?" (Wine Advocate 2023)
Features
Estate
Domaine Bila-Haut
Cuvée
Occultum Lapidem
Vintage
2020
Designation
Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France
Region
Roussillon
Grape varieties
Syrah, Grenache, Carignan
Terroirs
Soils of gneiss, Devonian shale and Kimmeridgian limestone
Viticulture
Certified organic
Harvest
Manual
Winemaking
De-stemming, no crushing, long maceration of at least 4 weeks, extraction only by punching down.
Breeding
50% in vats and 50% in barrels (proportions may vary according to vintage)
Alcohol content
14,5%
Organic
Yes
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Deep garnet-red colour
Nose
The first nose is reserved, dominated by graphite and leather, then becomes intense with notes of pepper, black fruit and garrigue.
Mouth
Rich, dense attack, fleshy and sunny, with a long, seductive finish, served by fine tannins and lovely freshness.
Serve
AT 14-16°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink before
2029
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with game, a fine piece of beef, a Catalan-style saddle of lamb...
Domaine Bila-Haut
Côtes du Roussillon
Expert opinion
Bettane & Desseauve
Domaine rated 2*Stars (A serious and recommendable production, but a little more regular and homogeneous than the previous one)
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 and offer good value for money.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated (guide 2023) 90-92/100 (Wonderful wine)
Domaine noté Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The 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
Domaine Rated Recommended (Wine Spectator recommended wine producer)
Jeb Dunnuck
Rated wine (guide 2022) 93-95/100
Recommended area
About the wine:
The Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Latour De France Occultum Lapidem 2020, which has yet to be 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.
Customer reviews
Customer rating
4/5
out of 2 reviews
Note and review by M. GILLES D. Published on 06/11/2024
Consistently high quality, Occultum Lapidem is a wine with an assertive Southern style, skilfully orchestrated in this sunny vintage. The wine plays a score of intense, macerated black fruits, licorice and smoke, framed by present, fine-grained tannins. Combined with power without exuberance, this aromatic richness and elegance are reflected in a dense, suave, velvety texture, and are extended in the warm, long finish, underlined by a beautiful mineral freshness. A fair price. A perfect match with roast wild boar marinated in Byrrh sauce, clementine and dark chocolate, with buttered polenta. Score = 4.
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Note and review by M. FABRICE & MATHIS P. Published on 07/12/2024
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