THE HOLY SPIRITS VIEW
Not only one of the most exciting and accomplished names in the Loire Valley, but Belargus' wines have started making onto the very top wine lists around the world's top restaurants. Gaudrets drinks like Coche-Dury does. Not kidding.
 
THE OFFICIAL BLURB
A group of plots located on the heights of the Savennières village, planted on sandy soils above black schist, "Les Gaudrets" embody the terroir profile most commonly found in the appellation area.
This cuvée expresses the freshness and the typical floral bouquet of Savennières wines. Aromas of white flowers and white fruits open onto an enveloping mouth, carried by a fine acidity and a light bitterness.
 
Belargus was birthed out of the wine estate of Jo Pithon, a legend in the Anjou, but reinvigorated by a man named Ivan Massonat who also owns part of Philippe Pacalet in Burgundy.  When Ivan purchased the estate, he set about to create a crack team to produce a stable of virtual Grand Cru wines in the Anjou.
 
The property is built around the most spectacular parcel of vines I’ve ever seen in the Loire, the famous Les Treilles hillside, a sort of Côte Rotie of the Loire, planted entirely to Chenin Blanc. In addition to the parcels already part of the former domaine, Ivan purchased a small parcel in Savennières, 1/3 of the Grand Cru of Quart de Chaume! (which they are mostly vinifying dry), and additional parcels adjacent to the famous monopole of Les Treilles.  The entire property is farmed biodynamically.  The property is 100% Chenin Blanc, with the vast majority vinified dry, even when coming from the Grand Cru of Quarts de Chaume. Here is a breakdown of the domaine’s parcels and the team behind it, by Jon David Headrick