2020 Vieilles Vignes Esparses

Dry style...
Éparses is Bellivière's old vine cuvée from the Coteaux du Loir, with ages ranging from 80 to 90 years old, across multiple parcels in the Coteaux du Loir: the name "éparses" is in fact in reference to the parcellation of the vineyards. These old vines on flinty clay soils, rich in tuffeau (soft limestone), yield a maximum of 25 hl/ha. They are farmed biodynamically and harvested by hand. The fruit is direct-pressed and barrel-fermented with native yeasts and minimal sulfur; the wine is aged in 1-to-3-year old barrels with each parcel is vinified and aged separately and blended before bottling. With less exposure to the south, the wine's aromatics are slightly reductive in its youth with a pear-skin character emerging and distinct salinity, cool and reticent. The palate follows this aromatic cue, showing an incisive structure, with reserved, confit lemon, grapefruit, quince and green tea notes laced with minerals and charged with a thrilling acid freshness and quite electric finish. Simply beautiful, this is a wine of the highest class.