Quarts De Chaume Château De Plaisance Quarts De Chaume, 2018

Quarts De Chaume Château De Plaisance 2018 is a benchmark sweet white wine from one of the Loire Valley’s most prized appellations. Crafted entirely from late-harvest Chenin Blanc, it balances sumptuous sweetness with vibrant acidity, delivering a wine that is both opulent and incredibly precise. This cuvée showcases the unique character of Quarts de Chaume, France’s first Grand Cru-classified sweet wine appellation in the Loire, and a reference point for lovers of noble-rot dessert wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Quarts De Chaume Château De Plaisance shines a deep golden to straw-yellow hue, with hints of amber at the rim that signal its concentration and botrytised fruit. The nose is intensely expressive: aromas of ripe apricot, candied citrus peel, acacia honey and quince jelly unfold alongside notes of dried pineapple, chamomile, saffron and a subtle touch of wet stone. On the palate, this wine is rich and silky, yet beautifully lifted by Chenin’s hallmark acidity. Layers of baked pear, mango, and mirabelle plum mingle with orange marmalade, honeycomb, and a light caramelized note, all wrapped in a finely etched mineral backbone from the schist soils. The sweetness is generous but never cloying; a precise, lemony freshness stretches the finish, leaving a lingering impression of honeyed fruit and spice. Built for longevity, the 2018 has excellent aging potential and will continue to gain complexity over 15–25 years or more, developing deeper notes of nuts, truffle and dried fruit with time in the cellar.

Production
Château de Plaisance farms its Quarts de Chaume vines on steep, south-facing slopes overlooking the Layon river in the Loire Valley, where schist and sandstone soils, combined with river mists, create ideal conditions for noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). Grapes are hand-harvested in multiple meticulous passes (tries successives), selecting only berries that have reached perfect botrytised concentration and natural sweetness. In the cellar, the juice is gently pressed and fermented slowly at controlled temperatures, often in a combination of stainless steel and neutral barrels to preserve purity while adding subtle texture. The wine is then aged on fine lees to build complexity and depth, resulting in a refined, layered expression of Quarts de Chaume’s unique terroir.

Food & Serving
This Quarts De Chaume is superb with classic foie gras terrine, blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Fourme d’Ambert, and rich pâtés, where its sweetness and acidity cut through fat beautifully. It also shines alongside fruit-based desserts like tarte tatin, lemon tart, poached pears, or almond cakes, and can be a luxurious partner to spicy Asian dishes with a touch of heat. Serve chilled but not icy, ideally around 10–12°C (50–54°F), to allow its aromatics to fully express themselves. Decanting is optional but a brief aeration in the glass will help the wine open up, especially in its younger years.

Producer
Château de Plaisance is a respected estate in the heart of Anjou, long associated with the production of high-quality Chenin Blanc wines, particularly from the prestigious Quarts de Chaume and nearby appellations. Working with some of the region’s most privileged hillside vineyards, the domaine has built a reputation for meticulous viticulture and terroir-driven winemaking, often embracing sustainable and organic-minded practices. Its Quarts de Chaume bottlings are considered among the notable references of the appellation, helping to cement the area’s status as a Loire Valley Grand Cru for sweet wines and reinforcing the château’s standing as a serious, quality-focused producer in the region.