Introduction:
The 2023 Domaine de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Rouge is a bold, structured red from southern France's Roussillon region. It delivers generous fruit, savory earth tones, and a mineral backbone, offering both immediate drinkability and short-term cellaring potential. Built on Mediterranean sun and mountain freshness, it’s a standout value for the style.

Terroir:
The wine is grown in the Agly Valley of the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages appellation, on steep, stony slopes composed of schist, granite, and limestone-clay soils. High elevation sites benefit from intense sunshine and cooling breezes, contributing to the wine’s combination of ripeness, structure, and freshness.

Tasting notes:
The 2023 Domaine Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon-Villages is a blend of syrah, grenache, and carignan sourced from the steep slopes of the Agly Valley. Aged entirely in concrete vats and stainless steel instead of oak in order to showcase the wine's gorgeous fruit- and terroir-driven characters, it has aromas of black cherries, ripe plums, and blackberries laced with subtle hints of black pepper and smoked meat. The palate has abundant flavors of plum compote, blackberries, and black cherries, with accents of herbs and wet stone. Tannins are firm but polished, acidity is moderate and refreshing, and the wine carries a medium-full body with a silky texture and earthy undertones. The finish is long, with brambly, black fruits and a gentle mineral fade. Tannins provide structure without astringency; the overall impression is both robust and refined.

Overall Impression:
This 2023 Bila-Haut Villages Rouge is a textbook southern French red—deeply fruited, herb-laced, and mineral-backed. It is a versatile, satisfying wine that showcases the unique terroir of the Roussillon highlands. Excellent with food or on its own, and well-suited to anyone seeking a grounded, expressive Rhône-style red without breaking the bank.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

• Meat dish: Grilled rib-eye steak with rosemary or a Moroccan lamb tagine with dried fruit—both match the wine’s bold fruit and savory spice.

• Vegetarian option: Roasted eggplant and red pepper stew with smoked paprika or wild mushroom risotto—earthy flavors echo the wine’s herbal-mineral depth.

• Cheese pairing: Aged Manchego or Tomme de Savoie—semi-hard cheeses that complement the wine’s fruit and moderate tannin beautifully.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14%
Farming Practices: Organic / biodynamic-leaning
Producer Name: Domaine de Bila-Haut
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: France
Region: Côtes du Roussillon-Villages (Languedoc-Roussillon)
Grape Varietals: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan
Vintage: 2023
Wine Style: Dry red; dark-fruited, savory, and structured, with mineral complexity. Medium-full body.
Winemaking Techniques: Fermentation in concrete vats, separate varietal vinification, moderate maceration, aged in concrete to preserve freshness and terroir
Pack Size: 750 ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork