Château de Plaisance, Côteaux du Layon 1er Cru Chaume, Loire, France [98G/L RS] (50cl.), 2018

Producer Profile

Located on the ‘Butte de Chaume’, one of the most beautiful and only 1er Cru classified terroirs of Anjou, this vineyard has been run organically and biodynamically since 1995.

Though the soils of Chaume are known for their delectable sweet wines, Guy Rochais was the first to create a dry white: the famous ‘Chaume sec de Guy Rochais’. In fact, his creation earned him a penalty fine for non-compliance with the AOC body, causing him to re-christen it ‘The Insolent’. After 60 years at the helm of Château de Plaisance, the Rochais family have now sold the estate to young winemaker Vanessa Cherruau. Born and trained in Angers, she has learned 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

This premium Coteaux du Layon site sits on sandstone and puddingstone soils, and the average age of the vines is over 50 years old.

Winemaking

Manual harvest after multiple sorting of grapes to choose the botrytised grapes followed by fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Aged for a minimum of one year in barrels.

Tasting Note

Concentrated and well balanced, the stone fruits like apricot give way to grapefruit and nutty notes. Bitter orange and quince on the palate. Excellent ageing potential.

Food Matching

A peach fondant, apricots and verbena. Or Auvergne blue cheese aged for 60 days.