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Château La Varière Bonnezeaux Les Melleresses

£42.34

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Chateau La Variere Bonnezeaux Les Melleresses has a ripe and concentrated nose, combining citrus fruits, sweet spices and tropical fruits. Similarly concentrated on the palate, both rich and harmonious. Despite its weightiness and oily texture, it is initially restrained due to its youth, showing candied peel, dried apricot and quince with its sweetness countered by a disarmingly fresh level of acidity. Delicious now, but with plenty more enjoyment to come.

  • Country: France
  • Region: Loire Valley
  • Subregion:  Bonnezeaux
  • Vintage: 2009
  • Colour: White
  • Grape Variety: Chenin Blanc
  • ABV: 11.5%
  • Bottle Size: 50cl
  • Closure: Natural cork
  • Style: Mind bendingly concentrated and rich
  • Drink With: Foie gras en brioche

Shortly after taking over at Château La Varière, Jacques Beaujeau bought a parcel of vines in Bonnezeaux about 10 kilometres south of Brissac. His Les Melleresses vineyard is wonderfully sited in relation to the River Layon for the early and extensive development of noble rot. Varière's parcel of Bonnezeaux is at the western end of the appellation, on steep, south facing slopes just above the distillery of the small town of Thouarcé.

Gold Medal Winner, Decanter World Wine Awards 2016 (2014 Vintage)

About the grower

Winemaking at Château La Varière dates back to the 15th century. Situated next to the village of Brissac-Quincé in Anjou, it was originally built as a seigneury in the middle ages hence the beautiful architecture of the ancient cellars. The Beaujeau family purchased the estate in 1850 and now, seven generations later, Jacques Beaujeau is at the helm making wines of great finesse and character. Today Château La Varière's 110 hectares of vineyards encompass most of the appellations of the Anjou region.

Jacques' winemaking philosophy is to put as much care and attention as possible into both the vine growing process and into the vinification of his grapes, as without top quality grapes he cannot make top quality wine. He recognises that the role of the terroir of his vineyards is essential and he says, "We are not magicians. You can be the best vine-grower and winemaker, but without good terroir you will never make a great wine".

His skilful and stylish winemaking was recognised in 2003, when Jacques was nominated for the prestigious French Winemaker of the Year award at the London International Wine and Spirit competition.