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TOP 100 WINE OF THE YEAR 2009 WINE SPECTATOR : Domaine Bila-Haut is owned by the world-reknowned Rhone Valley winemaker Michel Chapoutier. The estate is located in the Cotes du Roussillon of Languedoc, which borders the Rhone Valley and has many of the same grapes planted. Bila-Haut is an old vine estate that Chapoutier farms with biodynamic techniques (same as he does at his Rhone estate), and it is planted to Grenache, Carignan and Syrah. The cool winters, hot summers, low rainfall, and the local 'Mistral' (which is a drying breeze), combine to make a perfect climate for these varietals. All of the grapes are hand picked in the vineyards, and the bunches are de-stemmed upon arrival to the winery. The resulting wine is deep, rich and a little rustic, with black cherry, dark plum, mocha and licorice notes. It will pair beautifully with roasted and grilled meats, beef stew, hearty, spicy bean soups or flavorful cheeses.
Wine Advocate
The Bila-Haut 2008 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France Occultum Lapidem - as usual, a roughly two-to-one blend of Grenache and Syrah vinified in large casks and tank - mingles pungently resinous herbs, tart-edged fresh black fruits, and beef marrow in a context of textural richness yet surprising levity and uncanny sheer refreshment for a red wine. "That's typical for the 2008 vintage after all," remarks Troullier of this wine's freshness, but I am also amazed to realize that it harbors a more-or-less normal alcohol for this cuvee of 14.5%, even though it acts as though there could hardly be much more than 13%. Persistently high-toned evocations of flowers and garrigue herbs as well as a mouthwatering salinity add to the allure and the finish here will leave your tongue delightedly tingling and panting for repeat sips. The pleasure from this amazing value should be replicable for at least the next half dozen years.
Score: 92.
—David Schildknecht,
June
2011.
Wine Spectator
A muscular red, with concentrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, raspberry tart and grilled fig. The dense finish of dark chocolate is firm and focused, with smoky notes. Best from 2010 through 2014.
Score: 90.
—Kim Marcus,
December
15,
2009.
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