DOMAINE de BELLIVIÈRE COTEAUX du LOIR PRÉMICES 2023

Comprised of 24 different parcels around the Ruillé sur Loir, this dry wine is full of energy from a selection of young vines, while showing stability and complexity from older vines. A true treasure.

100% Chenin Blanc. Certified-biodynamic Bellivière owns and farms 18 hectares across 60 parcels in 5 villages in the Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir appellations in this northernmost part of the Touraine. "Prémices" is a selection of the most fruit-forward, younger-vine barrels and is the first release in any given vintage. The fruit comes from their under-50-year-old vines, which are gobelet-trained and planted on variations on flinty clay soils over tuffeau (soft limestone). Harvest is by hand. The bunches are direct-pressed into tank, where the juice settles overnight; it is moved by gravity into barrel and ferments with native yeasts and minimal sulfur. The wine goes through malo and ages in barrel for a year and in bottle for 9 months.

Reviews for the 2022 vintage below…

94/100 David Walker Bell, WineFolio.co.nz, April 2025 (2022 Vintage)
"A copper-gold colour in the glass. Enticingly rich and fragrant on the nose, with white peach, apple pie, quince, vanilla, lime, honeycomb and jasmine. Off-dry to taste, with a distinctive stony minerality immediately. Crisp acidity cuts through the generous, ripe and succulent fruit flavours. A rounded and waxy texture speaks of varietal and bodes well for future cellaring potential. The finish has terrific length and balance."