Château de Plaisance - Ronceray 2024
Château de Plaisance is now established as one of the most dynamic estates in the Anjou noir, at the heart of a region marked by the great terroirs of Chaume, Quarts-de-Chaume, and Savennières. Taken over by Vanessa Cherruau, the estate has gained in precision and visibility thanks to a demanding interpretation of Chenin and the schist soils of the Loire. The vineyard, managed biodynamically, rests on a mosaic of terroirs where schist, sandstone, puddingstone, and spilite give the wines a unique tension. In this region historically famous for great sweet wines, Château de Plaisance also asserts a very contemporary expression of dry Anjou whites. Ronceray is one of the estate's emblematic cuvées, conceived as a dry Chenin with character, both fleshy, saline, and precise. The 2024 vintage fits into this search for balance between fruit ripeness, mineral energy, and texture depth. This cuvée thus reflects the ambition of an estate that has become essential for lovers of great Loire Chenins.
The Ronceray 2024 cuvée is made from 100% Chenin, grown on soils of schist, spilite, and sandstone, a combination that brings density, salinity, and mineral relief to the wine. The grapes are hand-harvested, then slowly cold-pressed to preserve aromatic finesse and the quality of the must. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, in a logic of natural expression of the terroir and the vintage. The wine is vinified then aged for 14 to 15 months, including 12 months in large oak vats and barrels, which gives it a broad structure without erasing the tension of Chenin. Malolactic fermentation is left free, total or partial depending on the year, to support the natural balance of the wine rather than constrain it. In 2024, Ronceray presents itself as a dry Anjou white built on flesh, precision, and a characteristic saline finish. Overall, it evokes a gastronomic Chenin, capable of combining energy, volume, and great endurance.
On tasting, Château de Plaisance Ronceray 2024 offers a clear robe with golden reflections, announcing a white wine of substance and freshness. The nose may evoke ripe pear, yellow apple, fresh quince, white flowers, candied citrus, and a fine smoky touch linked to the rocky terroirs and the aging. On the palate, the wine stands out with a broad attack, then a clear tension that tightens the substance and prolongs the balance. The texture is fleshy but never heavy, supported by the natural acidity of Chenin and a very present saline sensation on the finish. The work in large oak vats and barrels brings depth and a slight patina, without dominating the expression of fruit or terroir. This Ronceray 2024 will ideally accompany Loire fish, sea bass ceviche, citrus poultry, roasted scallops, creamy risotto, or aged goat cheese. It can be enjoyed young for its brightness and precision but also has the structure necessary to evolve for several years in the cellar.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin
