Savennières AOC Clos des Ruchères Monopole (Sec)

Domaine Belargus

This is a truly magical vineyard, Jo Pithon's pride and joy, a petit 0.4 hectare plot located at the beginning of the Côte des Forges, at the base of La Roche-aux-Moines. The "Clos des Ruchères" is a monopole that rests on a hillside of purple schists which are rare in the appellation area. It is covered with a very thin layer of soil, only twenty centimetres deep. Slate schists, deeply fractured and very friable, degrade to form clays with a silky feel. The roots of the vines make their way to dive between the slates and draw their vital resources (water and mineral salts, notably).

This tiny, steep plot (worked like a garden with its own dedicated caretaker) gives birth to a tiny yield (25hl/ha) of divine Chenin Blanc, fitting entirely in three barrels. Fermented and aged therein for two years, the Clos de Ruchères yields a cuvée with a fiercely unique identity, a Chenin beyond measure, characterized by a profound mineral tension and layer after textured layer of nuance. Its lengthy and aromatic complexity leap from the glass. This is a wine with significant ageing potential and is best enjoyed 10 or more years after vintage.

Country:  France

Region:  Savennières, Loire Valley

Appellation:  Savennières AOC

Climate:  Cool Oceanic climate

Altitude:  12 - 77m

Soils:  Rare purple slate schists with a thin top soil.

Varietal/Blend:  100% Chenin Blanc

Fermentation:  Hand picked. Fermentation with indigenous / native yeast.

Ageing:  Aged 24 months on the gross lees in French oak demi-muid (600L) and barrique (228L) (average age of oak is 5 years), unfined, slight filtration at time of bottling (dieselgur diatomite).

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Located at the beginning of the Côte des Forges, at the base of La Roche-aux-Moines, the "Clos des Ruchères" (monopole) rests on a hillside of purple schists which are rare in the appellation area. It is covered with a very thin layer of soil, only about twenty centimetres deep. Slate schists, deeply fractured and very friable, degrade to form clays with a silky feel. This tiny steep plot is worked like its own garden.

ABV:  14.0%

Produced Cases:  Three barrels

CSPC:  872229

About the Producer

Ivan Massonnat, Adrien Moreau, Jo Pithon


Anjou & Savennières, Loire Valley, France

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Savennières AOC Clos des Ruchères Monopole (Sec)
Domaine Belargus
This is a truly magical vineyard, Jo Pithon's pride and joy, a petit 0.4 hectare plot located at the beginning of the Côte des Forges, at the base of La Roche-aux-Moines. The "Clos des Ruchères" is a monopole that rests on a hillside of purple schists which are rare in the appellation area. It is covered with a very thin layer of soil, only twenty centimetres deep. Slate schists, deeply fractured and very friable, degrade to form clays with a silky feel. The roots of the vines make their way to dive between the slates and draw their vital resources (water and mineral salts, notably).

This tiny, steep plot (worked like a garden with its own dedicated caretaker) gives birth to a tiny yield (25hl/ha) of divine Chenin Blanc, fitting entirely in three barrels. Fermented and aged therein for two years, the Clos de Ruchères yields a cuvée with a fiercely unique identity, a Chenin beyond measure, characterized by a profound mineral tension and layer after textured layer of nuance. Its lengthy and aromatic complexity leap from the glass. This is a wine with significant ageing potential and is best enjoyed 10 or more years after vintage.

TECHNICAL INFO

Country:  France

Region:  Savennières, Loire Valley

Appellation:  Savennières AOC

Climate:  Cool Oceanic climate

Altitude:  12 - 77m

Soils:  Rare purple slate schists with a thin top soil.

Varietal/Blend:  100% Chenin Blanc

Fermentation:  Hand picked. Fermentation with indigenous / native yeast.

Ageing:  Aged 24 months on the gross lees in French oak demi-muid (600L) and barrique (228L) (average age of oak is 5 years), unfined, slight filtration at time of bottling (dieselgur diatomite).

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Located at the beginning of the Côte des Forges, at the base of La Roche-aux-Moines, the "Clos des Ruchères" (monopole) rests on a hillside of purple schists which are rare in the appellation area. It is covered with a very thin layer of soil, only about twenty centimetres deep. Slate schists, deeply fractured and very friable, degrade to form clays with a silky feel. This tiny steep plot is worked like its own garden.

ABV:  14.0%

Produced Cases:  Three barrels

CSPC:  872229

Andrew Stewart | Calgary + Alberta South

T: 403-604-0408 | E: andrew@vinoalvino.ca

Joe Gurba | Edmonton + Alberta North

 T: 780-203-5284 | E: joe@vinoalvino.ca

Savennières AOC Clos des Ruchères Monopole (Sec)
Domaine Belargus
This is a truly magical vineyard, Jo Pithon's pride and joy, a petit 0.4 hectare plot located at the beginning of the Côte des Forges, at the base of La Roche-aux-Moines. The "Clos des Ruchères" is a monopole that rests on a hillside of purple schists which are rare in the appellation area. It is covered with a very thin layer of soil, only twenty centimetres deep. Slate schists, deeply fractured and very friable, degrade to form clays with a silky feel. The roots of the vines make their way to dive between the slates and draw their vital resources (water and mineral salts, notably).

This tiny, steep plot (worked like a garden with its own dedicated caretaker) gives birth to a tiny yield (25hl/ha) of divine Chenin Blanc, fitting entirely in three barrels. Fermented and aged therein for two years, the Clos de Ruchères yields a cuvée with a fiercely unique identity, a Chenin beyond measure, characterized by a profound mineral tension and layer after textured layer of nuance. Its lengthy and aromatic complexity leap from the glass. This is a wine with significant ageing potential and is best enjoyed 10 or more years after vintage.

TECHNICAL INFO

Country:  France

Region:  Savennières, Loire Valley

Appellation:  Savennières AOC

Climate:  Cool Oceanic climate

Altitude:  12 - 77m

Soils:  Rare purple slate schists with a thin top soil.

Varietal/Blend:  100% Chenin Blanc

Fermentation:  Hand picked. Fermentation with indigenous / native yeast.

Ageing:  Aged 24 months on the gross lees in French oak demi-muid (600L) and barrique (228L) (average age of oak is 5 years), unfined, slight filtration at time of bottling (dieselgur diatomite).

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Located at the beginning of the Côte des Forges, at the base of La Roche-aux-Moines, the "Clos des Ruchères" (monopole) rests on a hillside of purple schists which are rare in the appellation area. It is covered with a very thin layer of soil, only about twenty centimetres deep. Slate schists, deeply fractured and very friable, degrade to form clays with a silky feel. This tiny steep plot is worked like its own garden.

ABV:  14.0%

Produced Cases:  Three barrels

CSPC:  872229

Calgary + Alberta South

Andrew Stewart

403-604-0408

andrew@vinoalvino.ca

Rajat Parr & Sashi Moorman in the vineyard

Introducing Sandhi Wines to Alberta

By Joe Gurba • 07 Jan, 2024
Discover Sandhi Wines, a testament to Californian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir's hidden elegance, founded in 2010 by Rajat Parr & Sashi Moorman. Embracing Santa Rita Hills' unique terroir, Sandhi's wines have garnered international acclaim for their beauty and distinctiveness. These highly coveted wines, including Central Coast Chardonnay and Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, showcase meticulous vineyard collaboration and a commitment to showcasing terroir. Sandhi represents a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation in Californian winemaking.
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Edmonton + Alberta North

Joe Gurba

780-203-5284

joe@vinoalvino.ca

Saskatoon + Saskatchewan South

Kerrie Gavin

306-290-0277

kerrie@vinoalvino.ca

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