Exceptional New Chenin - Domaine Belargus

"This is one of the most spectacular new entries in the history of The Wine Advocate, and it makes the Loire, especially its tributary, Layon, one of the most fascinating terroirs in the Anjou region. Domaine Belargus is the name that should soon populate the world’s finest wine lists."
- Stephan Reinhardt

Domaine Belargus was created in 2018 after Jo Pithon sold his estate to Ivan Massonnat. Though born in the Savoie, Ivan is a passionate wine enthusiast with family roots in Chinon. He has long believed in Chenin Blanc’s potential for diverse terroir expression equal to Pinot Noir in Burgundy.

Now totaling 24 hectares, Ivan has assembled a collection of top parcels and monopoles in the Anjou Noir – the geologically complex and ancient volcanic vineyard lands that stretch from Savennières in the northwest to Bonnezeaux in the southeast.  Vines are distributed around three main areas - the village of Savennières, the hamlet of Chaume, and the banks of the Layon River.

The domaine is named after the emblematic Adonis Blue butterfly - Lysandra Bellargus - the historic inhabitant of the Coteau des Treilles.

2022 Domaine Belargus Anjou ‘Ronceray’
2022 Domaine Belargus Anjou ‘Ronceray’ 1.5L
• 90-92WA, 92CT
• From the domaine's holdings in the Grand Cru of Quarts de Chaume, the terroir is a blend of both schist and pudding sandstone and is almost entirely south facing over the Layon river.

"The 2022 Ronceray is derived from vines planted on the Quarts-de-Chaume appellation but vinified as dry white wine. It reveals a complex, deep bouquet with aromas of almonds, white flowers, orchard fruits and white pepper combined with a reductive character. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and satiny, it has a deep core of fruit that segues into a tense, gently austere finish."
- Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate

2021 Domaine Belargus Anjou ‘Rouères’
• 93WS, 93CT
• Les Rouères is an eastern and southeastern-facing lieu-dit of Quarts de Chaume, where the soils are dominated by puddingstone rather than schist.

"Oily in feel, with a streaming beam of melon, yellow plum and apple merging with fragrant spices, warm grains and white mocha. Subtle toast polish sits in the backdrop. Richly styled, harmonious and long, with a streaming, balanced finish."
- Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator

2021 Domaine Belargus Anjou ‘Quarts’
• 96JS, 94CT
• Quarts is a south-facing lieu-dit of Quarts de Chaume.  Since this cuvée is made in a dry style like the others, it is labelled as Anjou AOP.

"Minerally, lively, precise and tense, this chenin shows aromas of fresh lemons, wild herbs, bay leaves, mild spices and pebbles. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and character. Succulent and mouthwatering, with a focused core of lemons and stones at the center and an aerial, vibrant development in the long finish." - James Suckling

2020 Domaine Belargus Anjou ‘Treilles’
• 96JS 96DE, 95WS, 94VN
• Coteau des Treilles is a grand cru site in all by name. Once famous in the 19th century, this vertiginous site was entirely abandoned in the aftermath of phylloxera and two world wars. However, Jo Pithon’s historical knowledge of the best sites in the Anjou eventually led him to bring this terroir back to life. Now totaling 2.72-hectares, this resurrected monopole is very steep, has full southern exposure and geologically complex soil.

"A superb chenin, vivid and precise, with great tension, balance and energy. It has aromas of dried pears, spiced apples, cedar, wild herbs and exotic spices, following through to a medium body with bright acidity. So focused, with a vertical dimension on the palate. Succulent, with vitality and drive. Long finish."
- James Suckling

"The 2020 Anjou Blanc Treilles draws you in with its savory, smoky, spiced scent. Shining gold in the glass, it has a luxuriant richness on the palate while remaining dry, revealing a combination of nervous energy and salinity that shows its adolescence. Firm, taut and indefatigable, as if a Roman army is marching to a beat through your palate, it just keeps coming. The is a superbly curated wine from one of the most intriguing vineyards in the entire Loire Valley."
- Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous

"Citric, floral and richly textured, with a soft and delicate mouthfeel despite being powerful. Very long and, like other vintages of Les Treilles, this has the potential to develop further and age for decades. Would be good with rich fish dishes and roast chicken. Vinification and ageing was in a mix of wooden casks and demi-muids with an average age of five years and barriques for 24 months, followed by a further 12 months in stainless steel with bottling in early June 2023. Loire producers were given an easy ride in 2020 – no spring frosts but plenty of rain, followed by a hot, dry summer and a little rain before harvest."
- Jim Budd, Decanter

"An outstanding, regal Chenin, with plenty of concentration to the notes of creamed pear, honey and crunchy green fruit. Burgundian in profile, with salt, dusty earth and crushed stone elements adding to its savory dimension. Shows real power and complexity, with warm spice and toasted hazelnut accents playing off green almond and flint smoke. Offers a pristine, dry, long finish."
- Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator

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