Les Quatre Piliers Bel Air Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Les Quatre Piliers Bel Air Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Les Quatre Piliers Bel Air Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is a white wine from the Touraine appellation in the Loire Valley, France. The estate is run by Valentin Desloges, a young vigneron trained at prestigious domaines including Coche-Dury in Meursault. Bel Air is a great cuvée of Sauvignon Blanc from 60-year-old vines planted on two hectares on the left bank of the Cher river, from the eponymous lieu-dit, farmed organically (in conversion).

Vinification & Style
Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc from 60-year-old vines planted on the left bank of the Cher river, from the Bel Air lieu-dit. The wine is unfined and unfiltered, and it is recommended to decant for about an hour before serving. The style is rich, deep and textural, with ripe fruit, racy acidity and a saline, chalky finish. The 2022 vintage was very dry, giving the wine extra concentration and depth.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright, with silver and gold reflections.
Nose: Menthol, white fruits, confit citrus, honey, pineapple, with a delicate touch of oak.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, satiny and seamless, dense and deep, with racy acids and a fleshy core of fruit. Saline and chalky minerality, with a textured, layered profile.
Finish: Long, saline and chalky, with lingering fruit and mineral nuances.

Professional Reviews
William Kelley (The Wine Advocate): 95+ points (2022 vintage).

Serving & Pairing
Decanting: Recommended to decant about an hour before serving.
Serving temperature: 11–13°C.
Food pairing: Roasted cod with herb butter (the wine’s richness balances the fish’s oils), scallops in cream sauce (the wine’s satiny texture pairs beautifully with the cream), roast chicken with lemon and thyme (the wine’s fruit and acidity balance the chicken’s richness), aged Comté cheese (the wine’s saline minerality pairs well with the cheese’s nuttiness). Avoid overly delicate dishes, which would be overwhelmed by the wine’s depth.

Drinking Window
Enjoy from 2024 through approximately 2030. The wine has aging potential of 6+ years under proper cellar conditions.

Origin: France, Loire Valley, Touraine
Type: White Wine (Dry)
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
ABV: 13%
Volume: 750ml