Belargus Anjou 'Rouères' 2020

Ivan Massonnat of Domaine Belargus is reclaiming Anjou’s place on the Loire Valley fine wine map with his spectacular, terroir-focused Chenin Blancs.
 
Located on the Coteau des Treilles slopes at the heart of Anjou Noir, Belargus was once the estate of winemaking legend Jo Pithon. Having meticulously restored the appellation’s fragmented vineyard plots into its historic monopole in the 1990s, Pithon pioneered the production of dry Chenin Blanc across stellar sites that were traditionally the preserve of France’s great sweet wines.
 
Purchased by wine obsessive Massonnat in 2018, the domaine now extends to a small parcel in Savennières, as well as a portion of the prized Quarts-de-Chaume micro-appellation – the only Grand Cru in the Loire Valley. An exemplar of biodiversity and biodynamics, the 24ha Belargus estate – still overseen by Pithon – is now at the forefront of regenerative viticulture.
 
With the assistance of winemaker Adrien Moreau (an alumnus of Louis Roederer, Harlan Estate, and Cheval Blanc), Massonnat produces an array of dry, single-plot cuvées inspired by the climats of Burgundy, as well as a tiny number of botrytised sweet wines in the best vintages. Vibrant, racy, and refined, they have uncommon approachability in youth, as well as significant potential for cellaring.
 
Fast becoming essential purchases among Chenin connoisseurs and receiving wide critical acclaim – Belargus won its first 100-point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate within three years – these bottles are future cult classics.

From a 3ha plot on puddingstone and schist soils. Concentrated and silky.