Domaine Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon Occultum Lapidem 2009
Domaine Bila-Haut
Deep, dark and seductive red color. Sumptuous ripe red fruits are enveloped by a twang of provençale herbs and spice. Scents of coffee and liquorice dominate the attack. The wine is very concentrated and ripe with warm fruit through the mid palate. The finish is long and rich in tannin. This wine can be kept for 5 - 6 years.
Wine Advocate
From Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah planted in a mixture of gneiss, schist, and chalk, and vinified half each in tank and barrel (demi-muids as well as barriques), the 2009 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem - due to have been bottled in May - is scented with rosemary, sage, blackberry, mulberry, which are joined on a rich, expansive palate by marrow-rich meatiness and a striking, saline, iodine-tinged savor that I can only liken to shrimp shell reduction. (It there's a wine for "surf 'n turf," it's this.) The sense of clarity, brightness, and energy here is utterly infectious and the combination of pure dark fruits, invigoratingly pungent smokiness, and saliva-inducing salinity is bound to induce hunger - among other things for the next sip. Look for at least ten or a dozen years of stimulating acquaintance.
Score: 91-92.
—David Schildknecht,
June
2011.
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
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