Chenin Blanc from Anjou, Loire Valley, France

Tasting Notes

“Les Quarts” is the original plot which gave its name to the Quarts-de-Chaume appellation. Domaine Belargus’ plot covers nearly half of the 7 Ha of the area, exposed on the Southern slope of the rump. The soils rest on Precambrian schists, which provide finesse and length. A fine bitterness, signature of this terroir, brings complexity and length on the palate.

Wine Advocate – 98 Points

“‘Les Quarts’ is the original plot, facing south, which gave its name to the Quarts-de-Chaume appellation. As a matter of fact, until the French Revolution, the lords of Haute Guerche, tenants of the Chaume vineyards, used to pay the nuns of the Ronceray Abbey with ‘the best quarters of the harvest’. Thus, the name ‘Quarts-de- Chaume’ was born,” writes Ivan Massonnat. The soils are based on Precambrian schists, which, according to Massonnat, bring finesse and length to this cuvée. Sourced from a 3.08-hectare plot, the citrus-colored 2019 Anjou Sec Quarts opens with a deep and intense yet pure, refined and elegant, noble and aromatic bouquet of perfectly ripe and concentrated stone fruits, jelly fruits, lemons, grapefruits, salts and crystalline rocks. Crystalline and fresh on the elegant palate, this is a full-bodied, intense, dense and extract-sweet yet also refined and stimulating Chenin with noble citrus fruit bitters and fine tannins on the long, tight and intense finish. This is reduced power paired with finesse and elegance. Far too young to be served at this stage, this is a promising, very intense yet still restrained Quarts that is not as austere as the Rouères and not as rich and expansive as the Veau but possibly something in between. There are graphite notes on the aftertaste. This is another rather intellectual dry Chenin from the Quarts-de-Chaume appellation that can only be used for noble sweet wines.

Food Pairing 

Pairs well with lobster, veal sweetbread with truffles, and parmigiano.