M. Chapoutier Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2020

Not yet bottled, the 2020 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Latour De France Occultum Lapidem is more backward and reductive at this point yet has promising darker berry and cassis fruits as well as notes of violets and peppery herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has good concentration and length, but its purity and balance are what really set it apart at this point. A blend of 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre, destemmed and brought up in concrete, it’s going to drink brilliantly on release and have at least 7-8 years of prime drinking. Score – 93-95. (jebdunnuck.com, Jan. 25, 2022)