schiller-wine: Extensive Vinyard Walk, Short Visit of the Wine Cellar and High-end Tasting in the Wine Cellar at Domaine Belargus in Saint-Lambert du Lattey, Anjou

Friday, November 14, 2025

Extensive Vinyard Walk, Short Visit of the Wine Cellar and High-end Tasting in the Wine Cellar at Domaine Belargus in Saint-Lambert du Lattey, Anjou - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

The Loire Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Sunday, October 5 to Thursday, October 16, 2025. The tour started in Nantes and ended in Sancerre, with a bus transfer and lunch in Paris. There were 9 of us including Annette and myself.

Following:

Tasting at Domäne Vincendeau in Rochefort-sur-Loire, Anjou, with Owner/ Winemaker Liv Vincendeau - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

we went to Domaine Belargus in Saint-Lambert du Lattey, Anjou, for an extensive vineyard walk, a short visit of the wine cellar and an high-end tasting in the Wine Cellar at Domaine Belargus.

Loire 2025 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller in her announcement: What comes to your mind when you hear ‘Loire Valley’? Of course images of glorious Châteaux pop up in your mind. Yes that is true and we will visit some iconic château and dig deep into France’s history. However, during this wine tour we also discover a magnificent, but often overlooked French wine region and one of the most exciting best kept secrets of excellent, high quality wines at very reasonable prices. The Loire Valley wine region is a vast area and consists of several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. We take you on a journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains to explore this unique region. We learn to appreciate “Sancerre”, "Pouilly-Fumé", “Vouvray", “Chinon”, as well as many other not so familiar appellations.

Domaine Belargus in Saint-Lambert du Lattey, Anjou (ombiasy WineTours)

The domaine was originally the Pithon-Paillé domaine owned by renowned winemaker Jo Pithon who was known for his stunning dry Chenin Blancs. He sold the estate in 2018 to businessman Ivan Massonnat. Belargus has 60 acres of vineyards on exceptional terroir, a mosaic of millenary terroirs 100% dedicated to Chenin Blanc. The domaine’s mission is to express their quintessence through a single-plot approach. The most spectacular parcel of vines is the famous Les Treilles hillside, a sort of Côte Rôtie of the Loire. Only in years with good botrytis, some sweet wines are also produced. The Domaine is certified biodynamic.

Domaine Belargus (Bowler Wines)

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:

THE TERROIRS:

Les Treilles – A monopole of almost 10 hectares on extremely steep slopes, some as steep as 70 degrees. The vines are planted on a combination of very old calcaire (much older than that found in the rest of the Loire) and schist. It produces wines of extremely long aging and finish.

Bonnes Blanches – One of the most famous parcels in the Anjou owned by growers such as Pierre-Bise, Ogereau, Mosse, and others. This is historically made into sweet wine, but Belargus vinifies it dry.

Quart de Chaume Grand Cru – Belargus own 10 hectares of this Grand Cru and vinifies it mostly into one of their top dry wines. Stunning parcel, stunning wines. This is separated into three separate parcels by exposition and soil type into four wines.

Ruchères in Savennières – This is at the bottom of Roches-aux-Moines, looking out over the Loire river.

THE TEAM:

Adrien Moreau – Winemaker. Formerly at Cheval Blanc, Haut-Brion, Roederer.

Jo Pithon – Jo, the former owner of the estate, is now part of the team and is the resident historian of the various parcels farmed by Belargus. Jo singlehandedly converted the monopole of Les Treilles from scrub bush to terraced vineyards. It is the most stunning piece of land I’ve ever seen in the Loire outside of the possible exception of La Coulée de Serrant.

The estate is composed of 24 hectares farmed at extremely low yields (an average of 25 hl/ha instead of the normal 60 hl/ha.). The meticulous and perfect farming is equaled in the cellar, where winemaking is slow and unobtrusive. Fermentations are spontaneous and made in French wood, lasting from a week to many months, depending on the plot.

Vineyard