'My opinion is that Roussillon is like the Northern Rhône in Languedoc-Roussillon,' comments Michel Chapoutier on his hugely successful and popular Bila-Haut property, which he purchased in 1999. Known for its stony terraces and schistous soils, the Côtes du Roussillon produces hugely characterful wines at remarkably low prices. 'The straight Les Vignes de Bila Haut, at $14, is a no-brainer purchase,' writes the Wine Advocate, as these have become Wine Cellar’s best-selling imported wines ever!

Michel describes 2017 and 2018 as great vintages in the region and the new 2018s are flat-out delicious. The 2018 blanc is mostly Grenache Blanc and is tighter and finer than previous bottlings. Almost Chablis-like on the nose, there are notes of green apple, tilled earth and citrus. The palate continues with florals, spice and fruity texture.

The 2018 rouge is once again supremely balanced and flavoursome. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, it bursts with cassis, smoke and earthy complexity. The tannins are more grainy and mineral and it will open up over the next 5 years.

We also offer the very popular and highly-rated 2017 Occultum Lapidem Blanc and Rouge as well as preciously-small stocks of Chapoutier's 2017 Sélections Parcellaires, including the 100-point Ermitage L’Ermite Rouge. Browse here.

* Wine Cellar will deliver these, along with all pending orders, as soon as possible depending on lockdown level 3 regulations.

Chapoutier, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc 2018
Not yet bottled and mostly Grenache (there's a touch of Muscat, Grenache Gris, and Vermentino), the 2018 Côtes Du Roussillon Les Vignes De Bila Haut Blanc offers a rich yet fresh style that's going to shine on the dinner table. Crushed citrus, honeyed minerality, licorice, and a touch of quince all give way to a layered, ripe, polished white that has loads to love. – Jeb Dunnuck, 92/100

Chapoutier, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge 2018
The 2018 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes De Bila Haut showed nicely, with both freshness and richness, Clean blackberry, currants, violets, and a kiss of minerality all emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, with beautiful depth of fruit and a great finish. – Jeb Dunnuck, 91-93/100