Domaine Belargus

The opening salvo from Belargus's strictly Chenin focused estate. While the name Anjou Noir refers to the soils of the western portion of Anjou where black schist dominates the soils, this cuvée is the combination of four distinct parcels close to the village of Saint-Lambert du Lattray of which black schist is naturally found along with soils dominated by serpentine pudding stones and various proportions of clay and sand. As such, the wine is a representation of Chenin grown throughout the western united Anjou, albeit at a level of precision and complexity rarely encountered at the beginning of a tasting. After a short decant, it blossoms into refined and refreshing aromas of ripe but delicate pear. On the palate, it is a beautifully balanced and dry Chenin with serious structure and lingering tannin and salinity. The wine is juicy but not overly fruity and shows immense complexity and age-worthiness, regardless of being the first wine in the range. Anjou would have just been amazing last Sunday, at your relaxation time. A fabulous, rather delicate and finessed Chenin!