Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem Rouge 2020

Occultum Lapidem comes from Michel Chapoutier's Bila-Haut estate in the Agly Valley, in the warm hills of Roussillon, and blends Grenache and Mourvedre. The valley's soils of black schist and granite are poor and stony, forcing the vines to root deep and concentrating the fruit, while the hot, dry Mediterranean climate ripens the Grenache to high sugar, hence the 15% alcohol, and the altitude and night-time cooling preserve enough acidity to keep the wine in balance. Farming is biodynamic and organic. Ageing runs eighteen months in barrel, where the slow exchange of oxygen through the wood softens and knits the firm Mourvedre tannins, adds a frame of spice and savoury depth, and carries the wine without burying its fruit. The colour is a deep, dark ruby, the nose is ripe and dense with blackberry, black cherry, garrigue herbs, liquorice and sweet spice, and the palate is full-bodied and warm, the structured tannins of the Mourvedre giving grip and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 17 to 18C and decant ahead. It suits grilled and roast red meats and game.