Bila Haut Cotes du Roussillon Rouge 2023

The Bila-Haut “Vignes de la Haut” Côtes du Roussillon has been challenging the rules of the French wine industry since the early 2000s. I remember when Robert Parker gave the 2010 vintage 94 points—people threw a fit. A $15 wine scoring 94? But what’s in the bottle has never been in question. It’s always been magic.

Jancis Robinson called it “a lot of fruit and refinement for a little price” and noted that “Bila-Haut is central to M. Chapoutier’s global project… key as an introduction to the entire range.”

The newly released 2023 vintage is a total gem. Bursting with juicy fruit, this is a classic old-vine blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan from the village of Latour de France, farmed biodynamically on steep, pebbly slopes. Aromas of cocoa, crème de cassis, dark plum, and black cherries. Richly textured and voluptuous on the attack, packed with black-fruit preserves, braced by refreshing acidity and long, smooth tannins. It’s an absolutely delicious little red that hits way above its weight class.