TN: 2018 Domaine Belargus - Anjou "Les Rouères" (France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou)

2018 Domaine Belargus Anjou Les Rouères - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Anjou (11/19/2022)
– decanted immediately before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over a couple hours –

NOSE: rich, and slightly wooly; typical Chenin fruit; medium oak; fairly concentrated; perhaps a touch oxidative.

BODY: rich maize color; medium bodied.

TASTE: rich; medium-low to medium acidity; 14.0% alc. was noticeable; had this during a delicious dinner in Paris: the sommelier suggested this when I expressed interest in a Boudignon, saying this producer is apparently some hot stuff right now. This wine was good enough, I suppose, but it was more ponderous than I prefer and I’m left scratching my head has to how/why Belargus is (allegedly) garnering so much attention these days — retail pricing certainly seems to support this story. Gut impression score: high 80s.