2016 Cotes du Roussillon Bila Haut Occultum Lapidem
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Tasting notes
Chapoutier is renowned as one of the finest winemakers in the world, having started out crafting some of the most sensational wines in the Rhone Valley and he has expanded his holdings into other regions of the world including Roussillon. Here, he carefully selects high quality and lesser-known sites to craft beautiful wines with the focus always remaining on creating wines that are perfect expressions of the terroir from which they are crafted. Bila Haut has in a relatively short space of time attracted significant praise from critics, Jeb Dunnuck writes “I continue to be blown away by the quality coming from Domaine de la Bila Haut, which is run with the Chapoutier team...Even at the entry-level price point, the quality is stunning… In short, these are fabulous wines that show classic characters and represent incredible values. Don’t miss them. Early reports of the 2016 vintage in the Roussillon seem highly promising, with Jeb Dunnuck writing, “I have tasted some seriously rich and concentrated wines that have me optimistic for the vintage.” With an excellent score from Jeb Dunnuck and coming in at less than GBP 11 per bottle in bond, this is one not to miss as we have consistently sold out of all previous vintages of this wine in a short space of time.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Deep ruby-colored, the 2016 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem checks in as a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 5% each of Carignan and Mourvèdre. It's one of the finest vintages to date for the cuvée and offers fabulous blackberry, currants, crushed rocks, and violets. Deep, rich, voluptuous and sexy, with an incredible texture, it's a screaming value to drink over the coming decade. It's just another brilliant wine from the Roussillon team at Chapoutier.
Tasted just two weeks prior to bottling, the 2016 Côtes de Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem was in fine form. Tarry, blueberry notes from the high-altitude Syrah dominate, but they're rounded out by Grenache's cherry fruit in this medium to full-bodied wine. Grown at 350 meters above sea level, it shows admirable restraint and fine, silky tannins for a wine from a hot, dry vintage.
A big, rich, concentrated, unctuous effort that's not for those looking for lightweight aromas and flavors, the inky colored 2016 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem (50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 5% Carignan and 5% Mourvèdre) offers up a smorgasbord of cassis, black currants, peppery herbs and crushed violets. Rich, full-bodied and even tannic, it should improve with a year or so in bottle and keep through 2026.