2018 Belargus Anjou Treilles Blanc (750ml)

Chenin Blanc from Anjou, Loire, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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A not to be missed selection of top-rated Chenin Blancs from the Loire Valley’s newest rockstar producer, this stellar lineup of exquisite wines from Domaine Belargus is “a must investment for all fans of Chenin Blanc” and equally appealing to those who enjoy “the very great white wines of this world” according to the Wine Advocate’s Stephen Reinhardt, produced in limited quantities and available while they last.

Established in 2018 by Ivan Massonnat, Domaine Belargus is founded on the groundwork of Anjou legend Jo Pithon, among the first to shift focus to vineyard specific Chenin Blanc in the late 1980’s and responsible for the revitalization of the dramatic Coteau des Treilles, a steep, terraced vineyard referred to as the Cote Rotie of the Layon Valley. Originally known for sweet wines but also producing dry Chenins since the late 20th century, the Anjou Noir region boasts a mosaic of complex mineral and volcanic soils perfect for growing Chenin Blanc, with each of the Belargus cru’s expressing its unique origins, including premium parcels in the famed Quarts-de Chaume AOP, the only Grand Cru site in the entire Loire Valley. Leading off with the dry selections, the entry level 94 pt. 2018 Belargus Anjou Ronceray Blanc offers classic Chenin Blanc spiced fruit “all backed by finely beaded acidity” according to the Wine Spectator’s Aleks Zecevic while the powerful 97 pt. 2018 Belargus Anjou Treilles Blanc is a silky, seamlessly textured Chenin Blanc with a mineral tinged finish sourced from the famed 2.72-hectare Coteau des Treilles monopole, a beauty that “any serious wine lover should at least taste” according to critic Reinhardt. Sourced from vineyards along the Layon River, its humid air aiding in the late season development of botrytis, the 96 pt. 2018 Belargus Coteaux du Layon Moelleux Layon is a harmonious blend of polished fruit and honeyed texture, offering “great tension between acidity and sweetness” according to critic Zecevic with a “sensationally long” finish and delivering incredible value. Sourced from one of the three plots listed in the original declaration of the Grand Cru Quarts-de-Chaume appellation, the 96 pt. 2018 Belargus Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Roueres is “rich yet finessed and elegant” according to critic Reinhardt, bottled in full size 750 ml. Described as “fabulous” and “irresistible,” the 99 pt. 2018 Belargus Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Les Quarts pairs “richness and sweetness with crystalline finesse and elegance in an unrivaled way” according to Reinhardt, and the viscous and intensely concentrated 100 pt. 2018 Belargus Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Ultra is “made for eternity,” and with only one barrel produced, a must for collectors of “the finest noble sweet wines,” poised to age for decades, both of these beauties offered in 375 ml. half bottles.

Offered in a range of styles and levels of complexity, these selections from Domaine Belargus highlight Chenin Blanc's chameleon-like ability to elegantly mirror its terroir when crafted by an exceptional producer. Sourced from an outstanding 2018 Loire Valley vintage, Chenin Blanc fans and anyone looking to explore the Loire’s best whites won’t want to miss this opportunity to enjoy these masterful Loire wines from Domaine Belargus, ideal for mixing a case at an astoundingly good price.

97WA

95WS

The south-facing 2.72-hectare monopole Coteau des Treilles in Rochefort was resuscitated at the end of the 1990s by Jo Pithon from Domaine Pithon, once famous for world-class noble sweet wines from the Coteaux du Layon. Abandoned after the war because of its 30% to 70% steep slopes, this south-facing hillside is based on "geological chaos," as Ivan Massonnat puts it. "The subsoils are made up of magmatic rocks, schists, pudding stone and ancient limestones. ... This plot is located in the heart of the Pont-Barré Natural Reserve, a heaven of biodiversity that has never known chemistry and is home to exceptional flora and fauna, observed as early as the 18th century by Angevin botanists." I remember well my first visit here 17 years ago when I was deeply impressed by the vineyard and Jo's initiative to bring this grand cru back on the map of the Loire's finest vineyards. I have always adored Jo's wines from this cru, but the Belargus 2018 Anjou Coteau des Treilles seems to top everything that I have known from here. Intensely golden-yellow in color, the wine opens with a pure, refined and elegant yet intense and flinty nose of perfectly ripe yet fine fruits that intermingle with the schistous terroir as well as pastry and lemon/orange-scented fruit aromas. Filigreed and intense on the refined and elegant palate, this is a full-bodied, dense, intense and tensioned yet highly finessed and elegant Chenin with elderflower and orange blossom flavors at this early stage and a delicate tannin structure. The wine is rich and intense but always stimulating, with great finesse and elegance as well as long and juicy, wonderfully concentrated fruit. Everything is in great harmony, and any serious wine lover should at least taste this beauty.

97 points, Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (Jul 2021)

Not a powerhouse, and a bit restrained at first, but with air, this opens up beautifully, allowing the notes of peach, ginger and yellow plum to emerge tied to a bony frame. The complexity makes this almost a philosophical drink, but a bright mineral note and the alluring, mouthwatering edge bring back the immediate enjoyment. Superlong and harmonious, but the slight crunch on the finish suggests this could benefit from more aging. Best from 2023 through 2035. 333 cases made.

95 points, Aleks Zecevic, Wine Spectator (Nov 2020)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.0%

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$169.99

15 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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