# Bila-Haut Chrysopee Rouge (2019)

- **Producer:** M. Chapoutier
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Mourvèdre
- **Region:** Languedoc-Roussillon, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 17–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** violet, black plum, black cherry, blueberry, pencil shavings, iodine, graphite

## About this wine

Bila-Haut Chrysopee Rouge is a red wine from the Collioure AOC in Languedoc-Roussillon, France, produced by M. Chapoutier. The grapes are grown on Cambrian mica-schist terraces with a view of the sea, contributing to the wine's unique minerality. M. Chapoutier, a winery with a long family history, established Domaine de Bila-Haut to highlight the distinct characteristics of the Roussillon terroir. The wine is a blend primarily of Grenache and Mourvèdre.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyards are planted on ancient schist terraces overlooking the sea.
- Harvested by hand in small crates early in the morning.
- A portion of the wine is aged in concrete vats for purity.
- Known for a distinctive salty finish.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure, including its tannins and minerality, complements rich proteins. The savory notes and hints of dark fruit can echo flavors in roasted meats and Mediterranean dishes. The salinity in the finish can cut through richness and enhance savory elements.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Bila-Haut Chrysopee Rouge begins with a meticulous hand-harvest in small crates, typically performed early in the morning. The grapes are then destemmed without crushing. Extraction is managed through a combination of pumping over in the initial week of fermentation, followed by a slow infusion process lasting for four weeks to develop finesse. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes an aging period of 15 to 18 months. This aging is split between concrete vats (70%), which help maintain the wine's freshness and fruit character, and demi-muid barrels (30%), which impart subtle complexity.