2014 Chapoutier Bila-Haut VIT Ctes Roussillon

Unusually for the Selection Parcellaire wines the 2014 V.I.T Cotes du Roussillon Villages is, as ever, a blend. This is mandatory for the AOC. Historically many of the old vines were poor material and the authorities included Syrah because they wanted more colour in the wines. But Michel says Grenache is the interesting variety here. These are big wines, savoury, powerful but fresh with decent acidity and very long. They are ripe with black fruit and notes of roasted chocolate and haave a warm rock mineral finish. This may be big, but it is beautifully balanced. (CW 19/05/15)