Subtle orchard fruits are available on the nose. This wine is medium weight or a little more, softly textured, rounded and succulent with peach and apricot. Although it is dry, it shows a ripe sweetness of fruit. It would be appropriate for highly seasoned foods or cream sauces.

WINE INFORMATION

Purchased by Michel Chapoutier in 1999, Domaine de Bila-Haut is located in the Côtes du Roussillon. Historically the site was one of the first areas planted for viticulture by the Greek Mariners and has been continuously a wine region known for making top quality wines. The House of Bila, the translation of the name of the estate, was once a house of refuge for the Knights Templar, which is why their cross is symbolically used on the label. In the hills of the Agly Valley, 40+ year old vines are carefully and meticulously managed by an experienced team of viticulturalists, where sustainable farming and low yields combine to create the highest quality fruit. Wine is made in the vineyards, by paying careful attention to the plants and working alongside nature.

Part of the grapes comes from limestone and clay soils in the Agly Valley; the other part from granite soils at higher altitude (500m, later ripening sites). Grapes are hand harvested; after pressing, the must is cold-settled. Vinification is performed in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The juice is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and aged in those tanks. After a long maceration of two to three weeks, the wine is aged on the fine lees and then racked from vat to vat which naturally clarifies the wine. The wine is then carefully blended prior to bottling. The final wine retains an elegant freshness and minerality.

Cheese, Chicken/Turkey, Cream Sauce Pasta, Duck, Fish-full flavored (salmon/tuna), Ham, Hors d'oeuvres, Indian Food, Just for Cocktailing, Mexican, Pork, Roasted Root Vegetables, Tapas