Stewed plum, dark fruit and bramble meets tar, stone, forest floor, smoke and herbs. A medium ruby pour with moderate tannins and acidity set up an elegant and creamy dance with the senses. The terroir heavy notes host an esoteric and gothic vibe that's really captivating, like some sort of secret knowledge is trapped in your glass, just waiting to be discovered on the next sip. Pair it with a good black metal album and some ambient candlelight for an unforgettable evening with this mysterious drink. "Occultum Lapidem" indeed.
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Bay leaf, allspice, cinnamon, smoke, dust, ripe black cherries and ripe raspberries on the nose. Intensity of aromas is medium +; and the spice aromas are dominant. There are some oak aromas; but they're pretty well integrated with everything else. On the palate, it's totally different. A burst of ripe red cherries and ripe raspberries followed by the cinnamon and finishing with the same fruits and a touch of dried green herbs. Intensity of flavors is high. Overall tad tight on the palate, though. It's over a little quicker than I wanted it to me, and I hope bottle age helps with that.
Medium + body with medium + tannins. Developing. You should definitely hold this. I think the palate will unveil more of itself with a few more years in the bottle, and I also think some tertiary notes would compliment everything that's already here. Check back in 1-3 years is my recommendation. As it stands, a good pairing with braised beef.
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We decanted and let it open for 30 mins before drinking
Pronounced must on the nose
Subtle fruit leaning toward ripe cherries. Long smooth finish with light tannins, but enough body to stand up to rich dishes (we had with duck cassoulet)
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Plum, raspberry jam, black peppercorn, black cherry and graphite and earth, scrub herbs, spice and black tea. The palate is full and lush. Gamey and meaty. Bitter olive on the palate.
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The nose has a strong element of smoke. It is very pronounced and not integrated. The oak and toast level is less pronounced in the palate but once you notice it on the nose, it's very difficult to not "taste" smoke as the primary flavour note.
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Medium body. Light but structured tannins hide in the background, allowing a refreshing acidity and mouth-full of berry flavors to be the star. Did need time to open up! Had a harsh finish at first.
Nose- lots of berries up front, licorice, some herbal/funky meaty notes.
Flavor- berries, subtle oak, herbal/pepper on the finish. Which is looong!
Price- ~$30
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Initial rubber blows off to reveal aromas of fresh blue fruit, herb, and garrigue that segue into spicy, peppery notes. On the palate, the entry is creamy textured with flavours of paprika/cayenne pepper, dried bilberries and warm gravel, accented by a diesel and fennel note underneath. A dense and intense wine, this is complex and well-structured balanced by a lively acidity and finishing long with a delightful sun-baked heat that lingers. A delicious wine with lots to appreciate.
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Atkin 95+ Tasting Event (and dinner wines) (Strauss Auction, Cape Town (and Jo'burg)): The aromas combine, subtle spice, a touch of chocolate and raspberry, with a hint of roasted herbs adding intrigue. Yet as it opened, I also got a faint note of green stalk. The palate displays a strong garrigue character, grilled meat, and sun-exposed fruit accompanied by hints of diesel oil and underscored by distinct mineral-edged tannins that feel relatively extractive and compact. Well-structured, there is some depth to the wine, and the flavours are complemented by a freshness derived from heather and warm scrub notes, giving the mid-palate room for pleasure, but I found that the wine had a tarry aspect with a heat reminiscent of cayenne pepper on the back palate in conjunction with the tannins building continuously. It still manages to maintain a fresh character. 89+
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(Imported by Sera Wine imports, New York). These grapes were grown in the remote and beautiful French countryside in the Côtes du Roussillon. West of Carcassonne. Not far from the French-Spanish border. An unspecified blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. Organic viticulture. __________
Color: Dark ruby (impressive).
Nose: Aromas of semi port-like, sun-dried black cherry, blackberry fruit and garrigue spices (herbal shrub), with a kiss of black licorice and coffee.
Pal: Full-body. Excellent concentration and length of flavor. Similar flavors to aromas. Big, ripe, soft tannins. 14.5% alc.
Love this! Great value: I've seen this priced from $22 to $28 usd!
92 pts. Peak drinking: 2022-2028.
JGH sommelier CMS-III San Francisco/Bay Area
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Matured in concrete tanks, this blend of mainly Syrah and Grenache, plus Carignan has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose with lovely, ripe wild berry aromas in the shades of black-red-blue, joined by plum, peppery spice, and dried herb, and underlying meaty and minerally notes. It's medium-full bodied with lovely raspberry, blackberry, pepper, and mineral flavours with hints of violet. It's got fresh acidity and smooth, supple, and lightly structured tannins. Raspberry, wild berry, and meaty flavoured, tapering to a long, minerally, and very satisfying finish.
Chapoutier's 2018 Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem is a deep ruby, unspecified blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Decanted through a Vinturi aerator and consumed over the ensuing two hours, it offers aromas and flavors of blackberries, smoked meats, Provençal herbs, licorice and tobacco. Medium-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with fresh acidity, it delivers the same profile to the palate and stays solid in the middle. The tannins are supple and generous, allowing the fruit to take center stage. The same can be said about the wood, which is subtle, lurking quietly in the background. Finishing long, this is a Southern Rhône that checks all the boxes for a wine in this price range. Drink now-2028.
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2/11/2024 - Metalhorns Likes this wine: 93 Points
Stewed plum, dark fruit and bramble meets tar, stone, forest floor, smoke and herbs. A medium ruby pour with moderate tannins and acidity set up an elegant and creamy dance with the senses. The terroir heavy notes host an esoteric and gothic vibe that's really captivating, like some sort of secret knowledge is trapped in your glass, just waiting to be discovered on the next sip. Pair it with a good black metal album and some ambient candlelight for an unforgettable evening with this mysterious drink. "Occultum Lapidem" indeed.
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11/5/2023 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot Likes this wine: 89 Points
Bay leaf, allspice, cinnamon, smoke, dust, ripe black cherries and ripe raspberries on the nose. Intensity of aromas is medium +; and the spice aromas are dominant. There are some oak aromas; but they're pretty well integrated with everything else. On the palate, it's totally different. A burst of ripe red cherries and ripe raspberries followed by the cinnamon and finishing with the same fruits and a touch of dried green herbs. Intensity of flavors is high. Overall tad tight on the palate, though. It's over a little quicker than I wanted it to me, and I hope bottle age helps with that.
Medium + body with medium + tannins. Developing. You should definitely hold this. I think the palate will unveil more of itself with a few more years in the bottle, and I also think some tertiary notes would compliment everything that's already here. Check back in 1-3 years is my recommendation. As it stands, a good pairing with braised beef.
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10/6/2023 - KayB Likes this wine: 91 Points
Paid $18 for this. Blackberry and licorice and pepper and oaky and earthy. It’s really great and was great on day 2 as well
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3/31/2023 - jsdwino Likes this wine: 75 Points
Deep ruby color in the glass
We decanted and let it open for 30 mins before drinking
Pronounced must on the nose
Subtle fruit leaning toward ripe cherries. Long smooth finish with light tannins, but enough body to stand up to rich dishes (we had with duck cassoulet)
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3/24/2023 - Cacio Pepe wrote: 89 Points
Plum, raspberry jam, black peppercorn, black cherry and graphite and earth, scrub herbs, spice and black tea. The palate is full and lush. Gamey and meaty. Bitter olive on the palate.
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3/18/2023 - Thefatbastard Likes this wine:
De belles arômes de fruits noirs, de réglisse, de guarrique. Suave, beaux fruits (prunes, cassis), tannins enrobés. Finale chaude toutefois.
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3/3/2023 - DaddyLongLegs wrote: 87 Points
The nose has a strong element of smoke. It is very pronounced and not integrated.
The oak and toast level is less pronounced in the palate but once you notice it on the nose, it's very difficult to not "taste" smoke as the primary flavour note.
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3/1/2023 - Stanesa Wines wrote:
Fresh nose
Dry
Very little fruit
Oak
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1/6/2023 - Zander. Likes this wine: 86 Points
Medium body. Light but structured tannins hide in the background, allowing a refreshing acidity and mouth-full of berry flavors to be the star. Did need time to open up! Had a harsh finish at first.
Nose- lots of berries up front, licorice, some herbal/funky meaty notes.
Flavor- berries, subtle oak, herbal/pepper on the finish. Which is looong!
Price- ~$30
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12/27/2022 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 91 Points
Initial rubber blows off to reveal aromas of fresh blue fruit, herb, and garrigue that segue into spicy, peppery notes. On the palate, the entry is creamy textured with flavours of paprika/cayenne pepper, dried bilberries and warm gravel, accented by a diesel and fennel note underneath. A dense and intense wine, this is complex and well-structured balanced by a lively acidity and finishing long with a delightful sun-baked heat that lingers. A delicious wine with lots to appreciate.
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9/5/2022 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 89 Points
Atkin 95+ Tasting Event (and dinner wines) (Strauss Auction, Cape Town (and Jo'burg)): The aromas combine, subtle spice, a touch of chocolate and raspberry, with a hint of roasted herbs adding intrigue. Yet as it opened, I also got a faint note of green stalk.
The palate displays a strong garrigue character, grilled meat, and sun-exposed fruit accompanied by hints of diesel oil and underscored by distinct mineral-edged tannins that feel relatively extractive and compact. Well-structured, there is some depth to the wine, and the flavours are complemented by a freshness derived from heather and warm scrub notes, giving the mid-palate room for pleasure, but I found that the wine had a tarry aspect with a heat reminiscent of cayenne pepper on the back palate in conjunction with the tannins building continuously. It still manages to maintain a fresh character.
89+
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8/6/2022 - Slics wrote: 84 Points
Yikes! Gunflint and cotton candy. No no no.
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6/22/2022 - Jon Harrison Likes this wine: 92 Points
(Imported by Sera Wine imports, New York). These grapes were grown in the remote and beautiful French countryside in the Côtes du Roussillon. West of Carcassonne. Not far from the French-Spanish border. An unspecified blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan. Organic viticulture.
__________
Color: Dark ruby (impressive).
Nose: Aromas of semi port-like, sun-dried black cherry, blackberry fruit and garrigue spices (herbal shrub), with a kiss of black licorice and coffee.
Pal: Full-body. Excellent concentration and length of flavor. Similar flavors to aromas. Big, ripe, soft tannins. 14.5% alc.
Love this!
Great value: I've seen this priced from $22 to $28 usd!
92 pts.
Peak drinking: 2022-2028.
JGH sommelier CMS-III San Francisco/Bay Area
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5/24/2022 - bitdrerik wrote: 89 Points
Eðalklúbburinn rúllar um Rónardalinn.; 5/23/2022-5/27/2022 (10 vínhús og ein súkkulaðigerð heimsótt í norður og suður Rónardalnum.): Dökkur litur. Pínu öldrunartónar farnir að koma fram. Lokað í byrjun. Ekki mikill ávöxtur en samt svört kirsuber. Smurolía og leður í nefi. Bakaðir og dökkir tónar í munni. Svört kirsuber, tóbak, rúsínur og krækiber. Ekki alveg minn stíll þetta vín en samt ágætt.
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5/13/2022 - Tpairing wrote: 88 Points
Full body wine with berries - needs decanting.
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5/7/2022 - cono_sur Likes this wine: 92 Points
Matured in concrete tanks, this blend of mainly Syrah and Grenache, plus Carignan has a medium-high to highly aromatic nose with lovely, ripe wild berry aromas in the shades of black-red-blue, joined by plum, peppery spice, and dried herb, and underlying meaty and minerally notes. It's medium-full bodied with lovely raspberry, blackberry, pepper, and mineral flavours with hints of violet. It's got fresh acidity and smooth, supple, and lightly structured tannins. Raspberry, wild berry, and meaty flavoured, tapering to a long, minerally, and very satisfying finish.
Full report: http://vintagewinepicks.blogspot.com/2022/05/m-chapoutier-bila-haut-occultum-lapidem-2018-roussillon-wine-review.html
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4/12/2022 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 90 Points
Chapoutier's 2018 Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem is a deep ruby, unspecified blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Decanted through a Vinturi aerator and consumed over the ensuing two hours, it offers aromas and flavors of blackberries, smoked meats, Provençal herbs, licorice and tobacco. Medium-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with fresh acidity, it delivers the same profile to the palate and stays solid in the middle. The tannins are supple and generous, allowing the fruit to take center stage. The same can be said about the wood, which is subtle, lurking quietly in the background. Finishing long, this is a Southern Rhône that checks all the boxes for a wine in this price range. Drink now-2028.
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