2013 M. Chapoutier, Domaine Bila-Haut, V.I.T., Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France

2013 M. Chapoutier, Domaine Bila-Haut, V.I.T., Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France

Product: 20138109655
 
2013 M. Chapoutier, Domaine Bila-Haut, V.I.T., Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France

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Description

An energetic and enquiring genius, Michel Chapoutier fell hopelessly in love with the brown sun-kissed schistous vineyards of Roussillon’s Agly Valley several years ago. A few years later the Bila-Haut project was born.

Aged in barrique for 18 months, the 2013 is blend of Grenache and Syrah farmed at 350 metres above sea-level by biodynamic viticulture. The wine has classic Roussillon hallmarks of ripe velvety fruit, with pepper and spice in support and a line of crisp acidity traversing the palate with great elegance. VIT, in case you were wondering, stands for visitare interiore terrae, as in visita interiora terrae rectificando invienes occultum ladidem or “visit the Innermost of the earth and by rectifying you will find the hidden stone”: something to do with terroir, it would seem.

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About this WINE

Maison Chapoutier

Maison Chapoutier

Applying his usual break-neck rigour to the presidency of InterRhône has not in any way distracted Michel Chapoutier. His range is more impressive in scope than ever, providing the most complete dissection of the region’s styles and terroir. Founded in 1808, Michel took charge in 1988 and became the seventh generation of his family to run the domaine. Since then, quality has soared and he is now farming all his vineyards biodynamically. He also invests in new winemaking projects across the globe, as far-flung as Australia. His children, in particular his daughter, Mathilde, are now increasingly involved in the day-to-day management of the maison, bringing with her her entrepreneurial skills and vision.

Michel describes 2021 as a vintage the vignerons were unlikely to forget in a hurry, bringing an array of challenges that only hard work could overcome. It also brought a style of wines he thought long forgotten: ethereal in nature, with aromatic complexity, lower alcohols and bright acidities. They offer great elegance and finesse overall.

You might remember that we offered Chapoutier’s 2021 sélection parcellaire back in October last year – an impressive range of his single vineyards, including his prestigious Ermitages. We do have small volumes left of some lines so if you’re interested in seeing a complete list, please speak to your Account Manager.

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Southern Rhône Blend

Southern Rhône Blend

The vast majority of wines from the Southern Rhône are blends. There are 5 main black varieties, although others are used and the most famous wine of the region, Châteauneuf du Pape, can be made from as many as 13 different varieties. Grenache is the most important grape in the southern Rhône - it contributes alcohol, warmth and gentle juicy fruit and is an ideal base wine in the blend. Plantings of Syrah in the southern Rhône have risen dramatically in the last decade and it is an increasingly important component in blends. It rarely attains the heights that it does in the North but adds colour, backbone, tannins and soft ripe fruit to the blend.

The much-maligned Carignan has been on the retreat recently but is still included in many blends - the best old vines can add colour, body and spicy fruits. Cinsault is also backtracking but, if yields are restricted, can produce moderately well-coloured wines adding pleasant-light fruit to red and rosé blends. Finally, Mourvèdre, a grape from Bandol on the Mediterranean coast, has recently become an increasingly significant component of Southern Rhône blends - it often struggles to ripen fully but can add acidity, ripe spicy berry fruits and hints of tobacco to blends.

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