2022 Domaine Belargus Anjou Noir

Winery

Domaine Belargus belongs to the absolute top of the Loire and has developed in a short time into one of the most prestigious producers of Chenin Blanc. Under the leadership of Ivan Massonnat, the full focus is on the exceptional terroir of Anjou and the historic vineyards around Savennières and Quarts de Chaume. The vineyards are cultivated organically and biodynamically, with great attention to biodiversity and low yields. Every wine is a pure reflection of its origin. Anjou Noir serves as the introduction to the domain and immediately demonstrates the exceptional level of Belargus. You can find more information about this winery in the Winery tab.

Origin and terroir

Anjou Noir comes from various plots scattered throughout Anjou. The wine is a blend of vineyards on predominantly black schist soils, supplemented by puddingstone and other characteristic rocks of the region. These soils impart the wine its distinctive minerality, tension, and saline character. The temperate climate of the Loire allows Chenin Blanc to ripen slowly, creating a perfect balance between ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and terroir expression.

Grapes and vineyard management

The wine is made from 100% Chenin Blanc. The grapes come from organically and biodynamically managed vineyards with low yields. Each vineyard is monitored individually throughout the growing season, and only perfectly ripe grapes are harvested by hand. This careful selection results in a wine that optimally expresses the character of the various schist terroirs.

Vinification and aging

After manual harvesting, the grapes ferment naturally with indigenous yeasts. The wine then ages for a minimum of twelve months in a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. This aging process adds extra complexity without overpowering the refined character of the Chenin Blanc. During maturation, sur lie aging contributes to greater texture, tension, and length, while the minerality of the schist soils is fully preserved.

Color, smell and taste

The wine has a bright golden-yellow color with light green reflections. On the nose, aromas of ripe pear, yellow apple, quince, and white peach dominate, followed by white flowers, citrus, wet stone, and subtle spicy notes. As the wine opens up, the characteristic aromas of schist become increasingly prominent. On the palate, the wine is dry, refined, and perfectly balanced. The ripe fruit is supported by lively acidity, subtle salinity, and a light tannin structure that provides extra depth. The finish is long, mineral, and particularly elegant.

Style and character

Anjou Noir demonstrates why Chenin Blanc from Anjou is among the most versatile white wines in the world. The wine combines freshness, concentration, and minerality with striking finesse. Although this is Domaine Belargus's entry-level cuvée, it already possesses great complexity and impressive length. The combination of pure fruit, tension, and terroir expression makes this a wine that makes a strong impression both now and after a few years of bottle aging.

Volume

The 2022 vintage produced healthy grapes with excellent aromatic concentration and lively acidity. As a result, Anjou Noir presents itself as richer than in some cooler years, without losing its refined style. The alcohol content is approximately 13%. The expected drinking window runs from 2024 to 2042, during which the wine will continue to develop positively for years to come.

Food and wine pairings

This dry Chenin Blanc pairs excellently with oysters, scallops, lobster, turbot, grilled sea bass, and shellfish. Poultry with creamy sauces, mushroom risotto, goat cheese, and refined vegetarian dishes also complement the wine's mineral tension and fresh structure beautifully.

Wine & Food Pairing and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.