Domaine Belargus : Quarts 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Quarts 2022 from Domaine Belargus

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a deep golden hue that can verge on light amber, enhanced by brilliant highlights that reflect its richness.

Nose
Highly complex, the nose releases intense aromas of candied fruit, apricot and citrus, mingled with indulgent notes of honey and sweet spices, sometimes lifted by subtle hints of saffron and tropical fruit.

Palate
Broad and velvety, the palate captivates with its rich, creamy texture. The sweetness, marked by flavours of fruit jelly and marmalade, is perfectly balanced by a vibrant acidity and a minerality drawn from the schist soils. The wine shows remarkable vertical tension and lingers on an exceptionally long finish, without any heaviness.

Food and wine pairing

This great white wine pairs beautifully with foie gras, blue cheeses, or lightly sweetened fruit desserts made with apricot or apple. It also works very well with spicy dishes or sweet-and-savoury flavours.

Serving and cellaring

With an exceptional acidic and mineral backbone, this Quarts 2022 has considerable ageing potential, allowing it to develop gracefully in the cellar for many years.

The richness and tension of a great white wine from Anjou

The estate

Officially established in 2018 by Ivan Massonnat, a passionate investor, Domaine Belargus has quickly become a benchmark in the Loire. Built on the foundations of the former Pithon-Paillé estate, the property covers 24 hectares dedicated to a single grape variety. Located in the heart of Anjou Noir, the domaine stands out for its meticulous plot-by-plot approach and its deep commitment to biodiversity, symbolised by the Belargus blue butterfly. Farmed organically, the vineyard is spearheading a genuine renaissance in Anjou.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from the historic lieu-dit "Les Quarts". Located in the Anjou Noir, this terroir is defined by a due-south-facing schist slope. The vines, around thirty years old, benefit from the morning mists rising from the Layon river and from constant winds. The vineyard is certified organic and is currently converting to biodynamics.

The vintage

Produced only in years the estate considers exceptional, this cuvée reflects a particularly favourable 2022 vintage. The weather conditions allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness.

Winemaking and ageing

Crafting Quarts 2022 demands highly precise viticulture. The grapes are harvested by hand in successive passes (tries) so that only perfectly concentrated berries are selected. The minimal-intervention winemaking aims to preserve the grape variety's subtle balance.

Grape variety

100% Chenin Blanc