Domaine Belargus : Quarts 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for Domaine Belargus Quarts 2021

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a golden yellow hue with brilliant highlights, a testament to the beautiful maturity of the fruit.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of yellow fruit and honey, accompanied by notes of lemon and flowers. The mineral dimension reveals itself gradually, with nuances of candied fruit, vanilla and apricot. Touches of quince and yuzu lemon complete this bouquet of slightly pronounced intensity.

Palate

The palate is rich and ample, with a sharp attack that evolves towards a beautiful roundness. The saline and mineral structure brings tension and freshness, while a fine, perfectly mastered noble bitterness marks the expression of the schist terroir. The finish is long and persistent, confirming the complexity of this dry white wine.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal accompaniment to delicate fish and shellfish, particularly langoustines with beurre blanc. It also pairs very well with hard cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort. White meats in creamy sauce and dishes based on rice and green vegetables are also excellent pairings.

Service and cellaring

It is recommended to serve Quarts 2021 at a temperature between 11 and 13°C, in large glasses allowing for good aeration. This wine can be enjoyed from 2025 and will continue to evolve until around 2044, with a peak expected between 2038 and 2040 approximately.

An exceptional dry Chenin Blanc from the Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru in the Loire

The estate

Domaine Belargus was created in 2018 by Ivan Massonnat, a former investor turned winemaker. Located in Anjou Noir, in the Loire, the estate spans 24 hectares spread over three major sites: the Coteau des Treilles, the Quarts-de-Chaume plots and the Savennières vineyards. Entirely dedicated to Chenin Blanc, Belargus has practiced certified biodynamic viticulture since 2022, with a team of fifteen people for a precision approach inspired by Burgundian methods. Ivan Massonnat manages this exceptional property today.

The vineyard

Quarts 2021 comes from the lieu-dit Les Quarts, at the heart of the Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru appellation, in Anjou. Domaine Belargus controls nearly 10 hectares there in a single block, representing almost half of this historic plot. The vines benefit from perfect southern exposure on talcose schist soils covered with clay and white quartz pebbles. This privileged location, near the Layon, offers an ideal microclimate with generous sunshine and constant natural ventilation. The altitude and nature of the soils favor effective drainage and remarkable mineral expression.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Loire was marked by a harsh winter with frost episodes affecting the French vineyard. A milder spring allowed for flowering at the end of May, followed by particularly rainy months of June and July. Meteorological instability was observed between mid-July and mid-August. Despite these contrasting conditions, the 2021 vintage achieved optimal maturity, giving rise to dry wines of great precision, with an asserted saline and mineral character.

Winemaking and ageing

The harvest for Quarts 2021 was carried out manually at optimal maturity. Winemaking takes place in wooden barrels with indigenous yeasts, without temperature control or technological interventions. Fermentation can last from a few weeks to more than a year depending on the plots. Ageing lasts between one and three years, with a minimum of thirteen months on total lees, without stirring or racking. The estate uses a variety of vessels ranging from 228-liter barrels to ovoid-shaped casks, thus creating complexity through the interaction of different wood volumes.

Grape variety

100% Chenin Blanc