Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Les Zerzilles 2018 Domaine Patrick Baudoin

The Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Les Zerzilles 2018 from Domaine Patrick Baudouin is the absolute pinnacle of the range, the supreme liquoreux cuvée from a domaine that long built its reputation on Loire's great moelleux before turning towards dry whites. Yet when Patrick Baudouin vinifies the Zerzilles, he returns to his deepest and noblest roots: an extraordinarily well-balanced, fruity and complex Quarts de Chaume. A superlative expression of Chenin Blanc, a sweet wine distinguished by its depth and complexity.

Terroir and the vineyard

Grapes from the parcel known as Les Zerzilles, old vines planted in 1970. Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Les Zerzilles is a 100 per cent Chenin Blanc sweet wine from vines planted in 1970 on this prestigious south-east facing schist terroir, with shallow soils of clay and sand, between 50 and 70 metres altitude. The Quarts de Chaume appellation is France's smallest Grand Cru, nestled within Coteaux du Layon, on an exceptional slope overlooking the Layon river. Its name recalls medieval seigneurial rights: the lord levied a quarter of the harvest as his property due on these particularly precious vines. The Armorican schists composing the subsoil of this parcel possess two decisive virtues: they drain perfectly and store daytime heat to release it at night, favouring the development of Botrytis cinerea, that noble rot fungus which concentrates grapes in sugars, acidity and aromas in exceptional fashion. Patrick Baudouin's vines, certified organic but exceeding certification requirements, are worked according to his precise and demanding natural methods. Vinification follows traditional methods, with long fermentation allowing full development of aromatic layers. His wines hum with silky acidity, reminding us that beauty can still speak in whispers.

Tasting profile

On the nose, Les Zerzilles surprises with intense notes of honey, apricot and delicate spices, whilst on the palate it offers rich, velvety texture, balanced by lively acidity that exalts its freshness. On the nose, fine nuances of candied fruits, honey and quinces. Notes of pineapple, honey and forest floor mingle with tropical fruit notes. The 2018 vintage, generous and botrytised, brings exceptional aromatic richness and concentration to this parcel already among the appellation's most noble. On the palate, it is a rich, ample wine, achieving the right balance where acidity fully counterweights residual sugars. Les Zerzilles is a complex wine of fine length, sapid and compelling. The result is a wine of great elegance and length, with a persistent finish that invites contemplation. A great Loire liquoreux, built to traverse decades.

The domaine

Created in 1920 by Louis and Maria Juby, Domaine Patrick Baudouin holds 13.5 hectares of vines cultivated on ancient Armorican volcanic rock, schist and sandstone, tended through certified organic viticulture with horse work. Patrick Baudouin's 13.5 hectares in Anjou, Coteaux du Layon and Savennières rest on ancient volcanic and metamorphic soils, where conditions are ideal for producing both dry Chenin Blancs and the region's historically great botrytised liquoreux. Patrick Baudouin was first a major liquoreux producer before turning towards dry whites from 2001 onwards, yet Les Zerzilles remains the cuvée that best embodies the history and original vocation of this exceptional terroir.

Food pairings

This Quarts de Chaume will pair perfectly with spiced dishes, sweet and savoury plates, pan-seared foie gras or lamb curry. It will also find striking harmony with roquefort aged with caramelised walnuts, an apricot and almond tart, a Grand Marnier soufflé or a dessert of candied yellow fruits. It may also be enjoyed alone as a prestige aperitif, lightly chilled to 10 °C, to fully appreciate the richness and complexity of one of Loire's greatest liquoreux.