Savennières Clos des Ruchères 2022 Belargus

The Savennières Clos des Ruchères 2022 from Domaine Belargus is the domaine's most precious and emblematic Savennières cuvée, born from an exceptional monopoly planted on the rare purple schists of the Côte des Forges. A wine of singular identity, driven by powerful mineral tension, which embodies Belargus's philosophy: distinctive parcels, old vines, low yields, extended ageing and minimal intervention, much like in Burgundy. A dry Chenin planted directly on bedrock, with an absolutely striking minerality and breed.

Terroir and the parcel

Clos des Ruchères is a Belargus monopoly on the Savennières commune, at the foot of the Côte des Forges, very close to Roche-aux-Moines. This terroir rests on rare purple schists found within the appellation, with absolute geological singularity. The soil is remarkably shallow: only about twenty centimetres deep before bedrock emerges. These fractured slate schists, highly friable, degrade into clays with a silky feel, across whose surface vine roots find their way between the layers to plunge deep and draw water and minerals directly from the purple bedrock. It is precisely this root depth and direct contact with bedrock that gives the wine its mineral tension, salinity and wholly unique geological identity within the appellation. This small steep parcel is tended like a garden, certified biodynamic. Hand harvested at optimal ripeness. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in barrels, without stirring or racking. Extended two-year ageing in oak without intervention, to develop length and aromatic complexity, along with considerable ageing potential.

Tasting profile

The colour is pale gold with green and golden tinges, limpid and crystalline. The nose displays immediate precision and frankness, in the mineral and floral register typical of great schist-based Savennières: aromas of delicate white flowers, citrus, juicy pear and fresh apple open naturally and spontaneously, underscored by a cold, precise schistose minerality of remarkable intensity. With aeration, the two years in barrel bring notes of fresh butter, hazelnuts and a slight smoky touch that enrich the bouquet with growing complexity and depth. On the palate, the attack is lively and sharp, with impressive mineral tension that structures ample, generous matter. The texture is silky and well built, driven by fresh natural acidity well integrated, bringing tension, length and exceptional ageing potential, some speaking of more than fifteen years in the cellar. The finish is long, iodine-tinged and saline, with absolute purity of persistence and minerality.

The domaine

Domaine Belargus was born in 2018 from Ivan Massonnat's passion for Coteau des Treilles. After taking over the domaine of Jo Pithon, the legendary Anjou vigneron, he surrounded himself with an exceptional team: Adrien Moreau in the cellar, Amaury Chartier in the vineyard, with support from Jo Pithon and Guy Bossard as consultants. His ambition is unique: to apply in Anjou Noir the same principles that underpin Burgundy's greatness, a rigorous parcel-driven approach, a single variety in Chenin, extended ageing and minimal intervention. The 24-hectare domaine has been certified organic since 2022 and is converting to biodynamic practice.

Food pairings

This Savennières Clos des Ruchères will pair beautifully with roasted turbot in hazelnut butter, lobster à la nage, poached scallops in truffle oil, sole meunière, poultry in light cream, white asparagus with mousseline sauce, or aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Alpine Beaufort. Decanting for 30 minutes is recommended in its youth. Served between 12 and 14°C, it will reveal the full mineral tension, schistose depth and absolute breed of a Savennières monopoly planted directly on bedrock and vinified without compromise by one of the Loire's most ambitious and precise domaines.