M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem

Leaf Day - Fill level just below capsule. Cork soaked almost all the way through but firm and removed without any challenges. Double decanted off about a teaspoon of fine and hard sediment. Barely opaque ruby core extending out to a medium vermillion rim. Nose of old leather, dried flowers, smoke, earth and funk. On the palate it’s smooth with resolved ripe tannins, medium acidity and medium body. Flavours are light initially with light blue and red fruit, leather and …

2007 vintage

Decanted for sediment. At first rather tight with some slightly bitter flavors that were not present in bottles at younger age. A remarkable improvement after 30 min decant. After an hr the wine opened up to reveal lovely dark blue fruit aromatics with some nice scrub underbrush accents as well as a tinge of mineral finish. With more air the wine continued improving with additional sweet fruit flavors, some of which leans towards the red berry spectrum. Scrub, spice and …

2007 vintage

Many ups and downs over the last 15 years but now perfect to drink. The wine is mature but still with good structure. Taste of dark fruits, plumbs, very smooth.

2007 vintage

Still in a good spot, if notably leaner than my previous bottles. Shows age and fruit drying out slightly but mostly in balance & enjoyable, but probably time to drink within the next year or so.

2007 vintage

Hazy notes after drinking this over two days. Rather simple on the first night, it did develop additional complexity on the second night, with a rich, plush texture, medium to full bodied, with a mix of black and red fruit, tar and a granite-like note. Very fruit forward, probably at peak now, and should be consumed fairly soon (B+).

2007 vintage

Still well drinkable, though CT reports seem to imply that the drinking window has closed two years ago. Drink up now, though. Very smooth with all tannins vanished but with still some grip. Good fruit. This has been a hidden gem in that price segment.

2007 vintage

Wirklich komplex, bleibt spannend, bringt so viel mit und hat ein langes Leben. Leider letzte Flasche bei mir. Leider!

2007 vintage

Lila/purpur, breit und druckvoll, macht dieser Apparat alles platt, wohlparfümiert, Tanin, herb, eingekochte Kirschen, Pflaumen, Kieselsteine, Staub, ganz groß!

2007 vintage

Probablement à son zénith. L'oeil est à peine évolué à l'auréole, à peine, forte visco en parois Nez de projection 6/10, frais, garrigue, fruité noir, minéral, végétal, fumée, boisé fondu, tout en équilibre et au surplus ça sent le soleil du Roussillon! Bouche dans un superbe équilibre où l'ensemble est très bien intégré, tanins quelque part entre charnus et souples, acidité rafraîchissante, persistance moyenne-longue, amertume modérée, superbe rétro Conclusion : la dernière mais quelle dernière! 90+

2007 vintage

The 6th time to taste this wine. Last time was just over two years ago. Tannins are much more resolved than last time. Still has aromas and flavors as my prior notes: " raspberry, black cherry, some blueberry, perfume, some Provencal herbs, spice." Good structure - should last a little longer. A decent and soft finish.

2007 vintage

Has improved since last one I had - more precise and more rich.

2007 vintage

Nose and flavors of raspberry, black cherry, some blueberry, perfume, some Provencal herbs, spice. Like last time, the tannins are not yet totally resolved. Good acid and structure. Better with food (Italian sausage). Good finish - 15+ seconds. The wine has not really transformed very much over the last few years. Seems to have longevity though.

2007 vintage

A good bottle. Tight on opening, softened a little with time in the decanter...good acid, nice dark fruit tones. Added hints of roasted herbs on day 2. Worse on day 3.

2007 vintage

4th time to taste this wine. Dark reddish-garnet color; somewhat opaque. Nose and flavors of raspberry, blueberry, black cherry, floral aromas, licorice, some Provencal herbs, spice. Tannins are somewhat resolved, but still slightly noticeable. Rich and elegant, but not real intense fruit. Excellent acid and structure. A long and fairly soft finish. Good pairing with filet mignon.

2007 vintage

-- popped and poured -- -- tasted a couple glasses non-blind over approx. 1 hour -- NOSE: expressive; slightly funky; strong mineral note – pencil lead; violets; black cherry licorice; deep, dark fruits; very nice. BODY: violet-ruby color of medium-deep depth; medium bodied. TASTE: spicy; medium-fine tannin; moderate acidity; noticeable brett comes across as a leathery funk: some may not like the brett --- in this amount, for this kind of wine, I enjoyed it; not overripe or ponderous; very …

2007 vintage

Previously tasted on 4/7/12 and 1/29/11. Inky dark garnet color. A fragrant wine, with aromas of raspberry, blueberry, a little cassis, some Provencal herbs, something minty or anise-like. The same flavors, but dominated by blueberry; also a touch of licorice. Rich and medium bodied in the mouth. Nice acid and structure. A long finish. There are still some tannins not resolved, but for the most part the wine the wine is open.

2007 vintage

This is a rather typical Cotes de Roussillon. Grenache red fruit touch of white pepper and earth. It is a relief that it is not overoaked. That said, I don't get the hype and the price.

2007 vintage

Décevant. Pas de notes détaillées. Fruité encore présent, un peu vert, boisé mieux intégré, tanins encore fermes, mais l'alcool trop présent gâche le tout. En jeunesse, l'alcool était probablement mieux balancé dans l'ensemble. Avec l'évolution, c'est maintenant ce qui nous a semblé dominé. Dommage. Évolution incertaine.

2007 vintage

This was a really excellent wine. Powerful, fruity, spicy & liquoriod - but still with dryness and destinct french carachter. Had some very interesting leather, game notes.

2007 vintage

too heavy and lacking elegancy

2007 vintage

This was the 12th and last bottle since my first one in 2009. Only one was spoiled. Some earlier bottles were a bit closed, becoming more and more balanced and round, with lots of dark fruits. Though I really enjoyed most of them, I wouldn't add it to the list of my top favorite reds of the past few years.

2007 vintage

Doris loved this tonight

2007 vintage

This has improved over the past six months. Much softer, integrated, deeper and tasty. Rich bouquet of ripe dark fruits, plums, herbs, forest. Full flavors of dark stone fruits, blackberries, grass, spices, and earth. Chewy. Tannins are mouth filling, soft and balanced. Short finish.

2007 vintage

Best bottle i've had of this yet- one of the best value wines i've purchased ($19 including tax and shipping)- hitting its stride at almost 5 years old- beautiful nose of anise, acacia, and herbs- all of the fragrances are picked up on the palate; the balance of acid, tannins, fruit and spice is quite remarkable; full bodied and integrated, this wine will bet a bit better over time I'm guessing but it's drinking great now- special- with pan roasted …

2007 vintage

Still purple on the rim. Deep dark garnet color. Similar to my notes of about 14 months ago. I still get fragrant aromas of raspberry, blueberry, herbs, mint or eucalyptus, a touch of liquorish. This time I get blueberry mouth flavors; a decent concentration of fruit in the mouth. I get a little heat on the back palate. A long finish. This wine has been well stored. To me it has not changed very much from my last evaluation. I'm …

2007 vintage

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M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem

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