Château de Plaisance, Anjou Rouge, Sur la Butte, Rochefort-Sur-Loire, Anjou-Saumur, Loire, France, 2019

Producer Profile

The Château de Plaisance is located on the ‘Butte de Chaume’, one of the most beautiful and only 1er Cru classified terroir of Anjou!

The vineyard has been run organically and biodynamically since 1995. Though the soils of Chaume are known for their beautiful sweet wines, Guy Rochais was the first to create a dry white: the famous 'Chaume sec de Guy Rochais'. His creation in fact earned him a penalty fine for non-compliance with the AOC body, hence he’s since renamed this dry white 'The insolent'. After 60 years at the helm of Château de Plaisance, the Rochais family have now sold the estate to a young winemaker, Vanessa Cherruau. Born and trained in Angers, she has learnt her winemaking skills both in France and abroad. Vanessa’s first visit to the terroirs of the Château de Plaisance was literally ‘love at first sight’ and in 2019 her very first vintage at Chateau de Plaisance was released!

Viticulture

The grapes for this wine are cultivated on the prestigious Butte de Chaume, benefiting from its unique terroir of limestone and clay soils with excellent drainage. The vineyard follows organic and biodynamic principles, focusing on soil vitality, biodiversity, and minimal intervention since the 1990s. Manual canopy management, including leaf thinning and careful pruning, ensures balanced ripening and optimal concentration. Sustainable practices such as cover cropping and habitat preservation reinforce the estate’s commitment to ecological harmony.

Winemaking

Fermentation with indigenous yeasts, fermentation occurs naturally, allowing the wine to express its unique terroir without the influence of commercial yeasts. A short maceration period of approximately 2–3 weeks ensures optimal extraction of color, tannins, and aromatic compounds, balancing intensity and elegance. Aging: The wine is aged for 11 months in concrete vats, a method that preserves the fruit's freshness and minerality while allowing for subtle development.

Tasting Note

Château de Plaisance Anjou Rouge Sur La Butte presents a deep ruby colour with garnet reflections. The bouquet is expressive, offering ripe red and black fruit aromas such as cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant, layered with subtle hints of spice, forest floor, and a touch of leather. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with supple tannins and lively acidity, revealing flavours of juicy red berries, plum skin, and earthy nuances. The finish is smooth and lingering, marked by gentle spice and mineral notes.

Food Matching

Roast duck with berry glaze, charcuterie boards featuring cured meats and aged cheeses.