Domaine Belargus - Anjou Blanc 'Ronceray' 2021

The Anjou Ronceray provides plentiful substance and richness in Chenin Blanc style.

Coming from a terroir producing world-renowned sweet wines, the Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru and Chaume 1 er cru appellations also give birth to great dry wines. The Ronceray cuvée refers to the Abbey of the same name, which used to own the Chaume vineyard from the 11th century. The complex geology of this terroir creates a mineral and powerful cuvée, with long ageing potential.

This is a blend of several plots from around the Quarts de Chaume and Chaume. There's a breadth here from the pudding stones, but there's still real tension and a bitter kick. There's a sense of oxidative bruised apple character from long ageing in oak, and yet there's also a smoky reductive character from a long time on lees. It is intriguing, messing with your brain in a good way, providing yin and yang. Plentiful substance and richness. 93 points, Rebecca Gibb, Vinous. (2019 review)

100% Chenin Blanc