Domaine Bila-Haut - Chrysopée 2015

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Michel Chapoutier, a prolific figure in the Rhône Valley wine world, has invested heavily in his Latour de France estate (with over 100 hectares of vines, extending into other villages such as Lesquerde, and a few parcels on the Côte Vermeille). As perfectionist as ever, his wines are affordable and offer good value for money.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Reminiscent of a Saint-Péray with its vibrant saline minerality, buttery citrus, roasted nut and quince aromas and flavors, the 2015 Collioure Chrysopée Blanc is wonderfully textured with juicy acidity.

About the domain :

Michel Chapoutier's outpost in the Roussillon is a worthy extension of his operations in the Rhône Valley. The emphasis is on the same varieties - Grenache and Syrah, in varying proportions according to terroir - and the overall quality is very good, with the parcel selections particularly notable for their excellence and limited production volumes. "My opinion is that Roussillon is like the Northern Rhône in Languedoc-Roussillon," said Chapoutier at our February tasting in the small village of Latour-de-France. He and the rest of his team are very optimistic about the prospects for 2017 and 2018, which they describe as excellent vintages. It's worth noting that while Chapoutier mainly produces dry wines in Roussillon, he hasn't abandoned traditional styles.

Wine Spectator

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

Ample and spicy on the nose - not lacking in alcohol but with good length on the palate. A hint of pine and a nice chewiness. Certainly not fatty. There's tension, even if the wine was a little too tight at this stage of its evolution. Lots of emotion on the finish.

Jeb Dunnuck