2020 Domaine Belargus Anjou Noir Magnum
Region: Anjou, Loire Valley, France
Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
Vineyard Practice: Certified organic, practising biodynamic
Culinary Suggestions: White Fish, Prawns, Seafood
Alcohol: 14%
Bottle Size: Magnum 1.5 L
A standout Chenin Blanc known for its delicate complexity and balance. Featuring a tapestry of vibrant white fruits and lime, complemented by a silky texture and mineral richness, this wine promises a rustic yet refined finish with excellent ageing potential.
Origins
Domaine Belargus introduces revolutionary dynamism to the Loire Valley under the guidance of Ivan Massonnat, a wine enthusiast who also has interests in Philippe Pacalet in Burgundy. The acquisition of Jo Pithon's esteemed estate and additional key vineyards has expanded the domaine to encompass 24 hectares of the prime Anjou Noir terroir, including celebrated plots like "Coteau des Treilles," "Clos des Ruchères," and "Les Quarts." This newcomer has quickly garnered attention for producing wines of Grand Cru calibre.
The estate's commitment to organic and biodynamic methodologies, pioneered by Jo Pithon and Guy Bossard, has established it as a leader in the revitalisation of some of France's most valued vineyards. The Coteau des Treilles, a particularly steep 2.72-hectare plot in Rochefort with slopes ranging from 30% to 70%, was reinvigorated by Pithon in the late 1990s. Situated on magmatic rocks from the Armorican Massif, this monopole yields Chenin of exceptional quality, deeply reflective of its intricate geological structure.
The Anjou Noir cuvée epitomises the distinctiveness of the western Anjou region, which contrasts sharply with the limestone-based Anjou Blanc. Derived from four distinct plots near Saint-Lambert-du-Lattray, this cuvée showcases Chenin Blanc grown on diverse soils comprising black schist, puddingstone, serpentine, and varying levels of clay and sand. This blend offers a tapestry of flavours and textures, presenting a level of precision and complexity that sets a high standard from the outset.
Cork Tasting Notes
This wine eloquently showcases its complexity after a brief period to breathe. It opens with nuanced schist aromas, gently intertwined with the soft scents of white and yellow-fleshed fruits such as pear, crafting an inviting introduction. The texture is fine and silky, supporting a well-balanced structure characterised by subtle dryness, persistent tannins, and a distinctive salinity. This Chenin Blanc concludes with a minerally rich finish that carries both power and rustic elegance. The overall experience is of a wine that is juicy yet controlled, never allowing the fruitiness to overshadow its intricate layers.
Critic Reviews
96 Points
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
The sample of the 2020 Anjou Noir is an intensely yellow colored regional cuvée that "results from a blend of the domaine's vines not being vinified from a single plot, providing a synthesis of the terroirs that gave rise to it (schists, pudding stones, etc.)," as Ivan Massonnat explains. Produced for the first time in 2019, this cuvée is aged in vats and barrels for a minimum of one year and represents the quintessence of Chenin cultivated on black schist. The 2020 needs a bit of time in the glass to open up, to refine and to exhibit its subtle, pure and refreshing schist aromas intermixed with ripe but delicate fruit (pear) aromas from white and yellow-fleshed fruits. On the palate, this is a light and beautifully balanced dry Chenin with a serious structure and lingering tannin grip and salinity. The wine is juicy but not overly fruity and already complex for the first wine of the range. A fabulous, rather delicate and finessed Chenin! Tasted in June 2021.
~ Drink 2022 - 2040