Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet 'L'effet Papillon' Blanc, Côtes Catalanes, Languedoc, France 2023

By helping the local cooperative's growers understand the benefits of sustainable farming, limited yields and harvesting before the grapes are over mature, Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet are aiming to raise the general quality of wine in their appellation. The wine comes from selected parcels, grown in the stony, red clay soil of Rivesaltes, just 15 km from the Mediterranean.

• WINEMAKERS: Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet
• FARMING: Sustainable
• VARIETIES: Macabeu (80%) and Grenache Blanc (20%)
• TERROIR: Stony, red clay soil of Rivesaltes, just 15 km from the Mediterranean.
• TASTING NOTES: Aromas of peach blossom, Anjou pears, and marzipan; with an elegant, full-bodied mouthfeel, punctuated with minerality and a clean finish. 

From our 2025 Bottle Cult Notes:

Roussillon, in the far southwest of France at the border of Spain, isn’t the most well-known wine region, but it holds incredible gems—if you know where to find them. The landscape is striking, and in fact, the extreme topography is what drew Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet here after they fell in love at agronomic school in Montpellier. With little topsoil, the stark differences in bedrock are visible right at the surface.

The 40 hectares of Domaine Le Roc des Anges, run by Marjorie Gallet, are nestled in the northern reaches of Roussillon, in the shadow of the Pyrenees. It’s tough country—windy, hot, and dry, with very poor soil. Winegrowers here battle incredibly challenging growing conditions, but from that mineral-rich rock, Marjorie coaxes wines that are vibrant, aromatically complex, and loaded with fresh fruit. Each of her 43 different parcels of vines faces north, allowing for cooler exposure during Roussillon’s brutal summer heat. Farming biodynamically encourages deep root penetration, and the cultivation of a high leaf canopy promotes strong photosynthesis while providing good shade for the grapes. Every bunch is picked by hand during the coolest parts of the day and kept cool all the way to the press. From there, the influence of the mineral soil takes over, lending finesse and freshness to every wine.

Marjorie Gallet’s L’Effet Papillon Blanc is a blend of 80% Macabeu and 20% Grenache Blanc, harvested from the iron-rich soil just outside of Rivesaltes in Roussillon. This gorgeous little white brings aromas of fresh melon and apricot with jasmine floral notes. On the palate, the wine is zippy and fresh, with lively acidity and exotic fruit flavors and stony minerality, and a refreshing finish. Enjoy with seafood paella or a sardine, caper, and herb pasta. —Riley Shea, DECANTsf