Quarts de Chaume is a highly respected sweet white wine appellation of the Anjou district in the western Loire Valley of France. Quarts de Chaume wines are made exclusively from Chenin Blanc (known here as Pineau de la Loire).
2003 Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin, 500ml
Tasting Notes
Quarts de Chaume is the only Grand Cru in the Loire Valley. This old vine Chenin Blanc is harvested late in the fall when the grapes are more like raisins. With such tiny yields, the wine is truly a nectar of incomparable elegance. Golden hued from fifteen years of age, the wine is a melange of rich flavors. Think of orange and apricot jams stuffed into a baked apple with a dose of vanilla and oak draped over french toast. This is a rare and graceful sweet wine that is to be savored, respected and enjoyed.
Specs
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc
Appellation: Quarts de Chaume, Loire Valley, France
Alcohol: 12.5%
93 points, Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast
2004 Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin, 500ml
Tasting Notes
“This late release is showing beautifully, with glazed peach and pear notes lifted by hints of orange zest, green tea and honeysuckle. Fleshy, unctuous and yet still fresh on a finish rounded off by a burnished edge.” Wine Spectator
The Loire Valley is bucolic region filled with historic wineries and serene vineyards of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc that watch the river flow. Chateau de Suronde is such a humble, quaint and charming winery, it’s a surprise to discover the one of the world’s finest sweet Chenins comes from such humble beginnings. This is truly a wine for the connoisseur. It is meditative, contemplative, and such a joy to drink.
There is no added sugar to this wine, and no acidification. It takes approximately 1 vine to yield 1 glass of this nectar. Truly a nectar!
Specs
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc
Appellation: Quarts de Chaume, Loire Valley, France
In the early nineties, after raising his children, and having spent his career in the maritime industry, Francis Poirel began looking to purchase a wine-making estate and fulfill his dreams of becoming a winemaker. His goal was to take his place next to his winemaking friends and idols who were at the forefront of a “new wave” of winemaking which had rapidly spread in France during the 1980’s and 90’s. These were passionate winemakers who recognized that the future of modern winemaking was in fact a return to their roots and a more holistic approach to growing wine. Only by doing this, they believed, would the regional wines of France regain their deserved place in a world filled with a sea of mass-produced, homogenous tasting wine.
After a couple of years of searching, Poirel came upon a semi-abandoned estate in the prized Quarts de Chaume appellation. This magical spot for making sweet wine is situated on the northern banks of the Layon near the village of Rochefort-sur-Loire. The entire appellation is comprised of 41 hectares (102 acres), and it is entirely devoted to the Chenin grape, and more specifically sweet, late harvest and botrytis effected wines, for this is the area of the Layon where the noble rot botrytis cinerea is induced by the unique micro-climate. The appellation takes its name from the ancient practice of the church taking, as rent for the vineyards, one quarter of the harvest from this prime spot over the river facing the south. Poirel’s Château de Suronde is one of the seven original properties that make up Quarts de Chaume, and he farms seven hectares.
Poirel’s vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically. There are no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides used on the estate. It must be noted that Poirel is the only grower in the area to farm his vineyards in this manner. Fortunately the vineyards make up one large parcel that are unaffected by their neighbors. The grapes are harvested by hand in small wooden boxes over a long period of time. Normally this means five to eight passes through the vineyards in order to pick only those grapes that are perfectly suited to making up part of this nectar.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin
2 bottles for $52.99 $26.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $229.99 $19.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2003/2004 Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin - $88 = 27.66%
@klezman@tklivory@scottw58
Seems like this needs to be an even # split, 2, 4, 6, 8 etc., as there are two vintages.
I think the three of us, Klez, Scott and myself, are all at 2 each of the 2 vintages.
Time to start a second case? @markdaspark you at all interested to help out.
@ddeuddeg@InFrom I just grabbed 4, would have bought a case and looked for folks to split with in WNY but they sold out first, were you able to get a case @ddeuddeg, I’d be willing to split and cancel my order?
@kookie00
Late Harvest + Old Vines but mostly the Late Harvest part. Leaving the grapes on the vines until they turn raisin-like and are affected by noble rot, the combination of which yields sweet, deeply extracted flavors.
@kookie00 Chenin Blanc in California and in Loire have different purposes. In California Chenin Blanc is used for high-yield and juice to add cost-effective structure to other varietals. Quite a bit of the Cali Chardonnay we drink has a bit of Chenin Blanc in it.
The Mentida White Blend is a good example of a skillful winemaker’s skillful use of Chenin Blanc to make a good, cost-effective wine.
In Loire, Chenin Blanc is used completely differently, with yields less than half what a good Cali Chenin Blanc acre would yield. Chenin Blanc is the premium grape for premium (and expensive) white wine, that ages like crazy. If you see a case of 20 year old Loire white at an estate sale that no one else is touching because it’s “to old for a white, must be vinegar”, grab that case quick.
Do we have any idea what the residual sugar looks like on this? Also, at ~15 years old, are these getting to the end of their life, or can they keep going like some of the Sauternes?
@dmcswiggen When I see a Loire Chenin Blanc, I figure if good it’ll go for a couple decades. This is the first late harvest such wine I’ve seen. I didn’t know they did this. My initial guess is this could do longer than that, perhaps very very long.
Historically these wines have surpassed Sauternes in their ability to age. I had a 1964 Quarts de Chaume that was in beautiful shape at over 30 years of age. Chenin Blanc Is a high acid grape, whereas Sauternes is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (high acid) and Semillon (los acid). Production is very limited in the late harvest appellations of the Loire, so they will remain obscure in relation to Sauternes.
@PeterW Wow, great to see you here!! Hope retirement is treating you great!! I’ve been reading your periodic blogs here on Casemates…always a wealth of knowledge! Although I still have a lot of Wellington in the basement, I miss your offers!!! I’m afraid to drink it, knowing what happens when it’s all gone! Just had your White Port over the past two weeks that sorta reminded me when I saw this offer. Something to sip late at night while watching my recorded programs on a NEO winter night with the fireplace on while everyone else is sleeping.
@PeterW One addition note on your wine. I had some of your non-Victory Cabs that were 2 years past the drinking window and they still seemed to have a lot of life left. They were phenomenal!
Well, we got the golden ticket this time! So we’ve done our best to taste the Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume 2003 for you. Some thoughts:
Three of us tasted the wine – and all three enjoyed it. We started it with reasonably chilled, then had some more as it warmed up a bit. We didn’t have anything on hand to pair with it.
The wine is a very pretty golden color in the glass; if you didn’t know better, you might think it was a bourbon or scotch.
Swirled in the glass, the wine has serious, sticky legs. Sweet stonefruit on the nose.
The wine’s definitely sweet! It coats the tongue, evokes pear and peach flavors, and there’s clearly oak involved. I actually get an interesting taste of menthol (?) on the finish, too, now that it’s warmed up. I suspect that sounds bad, but it’s actually pleasant.
One thing I’ve read in the past is that a dessert wine should have enough acidity to cut through the sweetness. This wine isn’t cloying, but I’m not getting much acid. Definitely on the sweeter side of that spectrum.
Last note: My partner and I aren’t generally drinkers of dessert wine, so we probably won’t be going in for this. But it’s definitely nice for what it is. Hope that’s helpful!
I have been drinking Baumard Quarts de Chaume for years in fact had a 93 a couple of months ago and she was singing! Never had this producer before tho. Nice to see a wine like this here!
@kaolis@klezman Well then I have done something good in my life
Lets not forget Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon since we are talking about Chenin. Another reasonably priced dessert Chenin that they only release after 10 or 15 years iirc. Much less sweet but every bit as complex imho.
If anyone in the NoVA is able to order the case, I’ll take a bottle of each vintage. I can’t front this case though after having just done the Angel eis one.
@HitAnyKey42 Yes, we should do this. If someone else with free shipping wants to front this, please do so, I’m in for whatever HitAnyKey42 and you (and Min) don’t take. If no one else will front, I will.
Anyone Chicago area in? West burbs. I’d take 4. I’ll be between spots around delivery time so probably should not be the one to order. But happy to pay up front.
Welp, first time buying a case. I’m not into super sweet wines but hopefully this is a sweet that doesn’t instantly make me think of juice and more a pleasant treat.
@PatrickKarcher@karenhynes Sometimes @winedavid49 will take some of the smaller quantities to make cases if the smaller volumes aren’t selling. That may not be the case here. (No pun intended!)
Quarts de Chaume is a highly respected sweet white wine appellation of the Anjou district in the western Loire Valley of France. Quarts de Chaume wines are made exclusively from Chenin Blanc (known here as Pineau de la Loire).
2003 Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin, 500ml
Tasting Notes
Quarts de Chaume is the only Grand Cru in the Loire Valley. This old vine Chenin Blanc is harvested late in the fall when the grapes are more like raisins. With such tiny yields, the wine is truly a nectar of incomparable elegance. Golden hued from fifteen years of age, the wine is a melange of rich flavors. Think of orange and apricot jams stuffed into a baked apple with a dose of vanilla and oak draped over french toast. This is a rare and graceful sweet wine that is to be savored, respected and enjoyed.
Specs
2004 Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin, 500ml
Tasting Notes
“This late release is showing beautifully, with glazed peach and pear notes lifted by hints of orange zest, green tea and honeysuckle. Fleshy, unctuous and yet still fresh on a finish rounded off by a burnished edge.” Wine Spectator
The Loire Valley is bucolic region filled with historic wineries and serene vineyards of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc that watch the river flow. Chateau de Suronde is such a humble, quaint and charming winery, it’s a surprise to discover the one of the world’s finest sweet Chenins comes from such humble beginnings. This is truly a wine for the connoisseur. It is meditative, contemplative, and such a joy to drink.
There is no added sugar to this wine, and no acidification. It takes approximately 1 vine to yield 1 glass of this nectar. Truly a nectar!
Specs
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $780/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Château de Suronde
In the early nineties, after raising his children, and having spent his career in the maritime industry, Francis Poirel began looking to purchase a wine-making estate and fulfill his dreams of becoming a winemaker. His goal was to take his place next to his winemaking friends and idols who were at the forefront of a “new wave” of winemaking which had rapidly spread in France during the 1980’s and 90’s. These were passionate winemakers who recognized that the future of modern winemaking was in fact a return to their roots and a more holistic approach to growing wine. Only by doing this, they believed, would the regional wines of France regain their deserved place in a world filled with a sea of mass-produced, homogenous tasting wine.
After a couple of years of searching, Poirel came upon a semi-abandoned estate in the prized Quarts de Chaume appellation. This magical spot for making sweet wine is situated on the northern banks of the Layon near the village of Rochefort-sur-Loire. The entire appellation is comprised of 41 hectares (102 acres), and it is entirely devoted to the Chenin grape, and more specifically sweet, late harvest and botrytis effected wines, for this is the area of the Layon where the noble rot botrytis cinerea is induced by the unique micro-climate. The appellation takes its name from the ancient practice of the church taking, as rent for the vineyards, one quarter of the harvest from this prime spot over the river facing the south. Poirel’s Château de Suronde is one of the seven original properties that make up Quarts de Chaume, and he farms seven hectares.
Poirel’s vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically. There are no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides used on the estate. It must be noted that Poirel is the only grower in the area to farm his vineyards in this manner. Fortunately the vineyards make up one large parcel that are unaffected by their neighbors. The grapes are harvested by hand in small wooden boxes over a long period of time. Normally this means five to eight passes through the vineyards in order to pick only those grapes that are perfectly suited to making up part of this nectar.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, March 7th - Monday, March 11th
Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin
2 bottles for $52.99 $26.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $229.99 $19.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2003
2004
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2003/2004 Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Chenin - $88 = 27.66%
What? Quarts de chaume ? Here?
These sorts of wines are great. Who else wants some? We’re probably good for 4.
@klezman We’re gonna need to split a case.
I’m in.
verbose-ceaseless-cave
Coming your way.
@klezman @rjquillin Very intriguing. Wish I were geographically disposed to split with youse guys!
@InFrom @klezman Come visit?
@markdaspark
You in?
@klezman @rjquillin I’d like to help out with the case if there’s room, say at 2-3 bottles.
@klezman @tklivory @scottw58
Seems like this needs to be an even # split, 2, 4, 6, 8 etc., as there are two vintages.
I think the three of us, Klez, Scott and myself, are all at 2 each of the 2 vintages.
Time to start a second case?
@markdaspark you at all interested to help out.
@klezman @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin @tklivory
I will do 2 or 4 on the split whatever works better for everyone? It’s not like I don’t have enough wine.
@InFrom @klezman @rjquillin We’re not so far away here in WNY.
@ddeuddeg It’s true, you’re a lot closer than CA.
So you’re saying you’ve got some to spare??? You know I have a trusted go-between on the BUF-NYC route…
@ddeuddeg @InFrom I just grabbed 4, would have bought a case and looked for folks to split with in WNY but they sold out first, were you able to get a case @ddeuddeg, I’d be willing to split and cancel my order?
Rats???
Any idea what is the difference between this and a regular Chenin Blanc? This seems pretty pricey for the varietal.
@kookie00
late harvest
Botrytis Cinerea
@kookie00
Late Harvest + Old Vines but mostly the Late Harvest part. Leaving the grapes on the vines until they turn raisin-like and are affected by noble rot, the combination of which yields sweet, deeply extracted flavors.
@chipgreen @kookie00
The Botrytis is the key.
Lot’s of LH out there, but those lack the essence of the Rot.
@kookie00 Chenin Blanc in California and in Loire have different purposes. In California Chenin Blanc is used for high-yield and juice to add cost-effective structure to other varietals. Quite a bit of the Cali Chardonnay we drink has a bit of Chenin Blanc in it.
The Mentida White Blend is a good example of a skillful winemaker’s skillful use of Chenin Blanc to make a good, cost-effective wine.
In Loire, Chenin Blanc is used completely differently, with yields less than half what a good Cali Chenin Blanc acre would yield. Chenin Blanc is the premium grape for premium (and expensive) white wine, that ages like crazy. If you see a case of 20 year old Loire white at an estate sale that no one else is touching because it’s “to old for a white, must be vinegar”, grab that case quick.
Wow, this is SUPER tempting…
Do we have any idea what the residual sugar looks like on this? Also, at ~15 years old, are these getting to the end of their life, or can they keep going like some of the Sauternes?
@dmcswiggen When I see a Loire Chenin Blanc, I figure if good it’ll go for a couple decades. This is the first late harvest such wine I’ve seen. I didn’t know they did this. My initial guess is this could do longer than that, perhaps very very long.
Anyone in MN up for splitting a case?
@gatwood I’d be up for a few bottles. I’m in South Dakota, but get up to the Twin Cities every few weeks.
Denver peeps, anyone want some? I’d be down for 4, 2 of each vintage.
@knlprez I’m in - I can take the rest of the case, or further split if there are others
@CObrent missed another, work is really getting in the way of my wine buying…
If anyone in Denver got a case, let us know, I’d like to grab a few.
Historically these wines have surpassed Sauternes in their ability to age. I had a 1964 Quarts de Chaume that was in beautiful shape at over 30 years of age. Chenin Blanc Is a high acid grape, whereas Sauternes is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (high acid) and Semillon (los acid). Production is very limited in the late harvest appellations of the Loire, so they will remain obscure in relation to Sauternes.
@PeterW Wow, great to see you here!! Hope retirement is treating you great!! I’ve been reading your periodic blogs here on Casemates…always a wealth of knowledge! Although I still have a lot of Wellington in the basement, I miss your offers!!! I’m afraid to drink it, knowing what happens when it’s all gone! Just had your White Port over the past two weeks that sorta reminded me when I saw this offer. Something to sip late at night while watching my recorded programs on a NEO winter night with the fireplace on while everyone else is sleeping.
@PeterW One addition note on your wine. I had some of your non-Victory Cabs that were 2 years past the drinking window and they still seemed to have a lot of life left. They were phenomenal!
@Boatman72 , I always tried to err on the conservative side when predicting drinking windows.
@Boatman72 @PeterW Wellington White Port - YUM! I know what I’m pulling out of the cellar to get me through the predicted Seattle Snowmaggeddon…
“Late harvest appellations of the Loire” means Coteau du Layon (sp?)
Anyone up my way wanna share?
@PeterW
Good to see you back around here.
This looks about as close to the “rpm autobuy” as you can get.
@PeterW Peter Wellington, i’ll see what i can do. and stick around!!
Are these 500 ml bottles?
@Boatman72
Yes.
Seattleites, I’m getting a case because we love the stickies and this seems like a ridiculous deal. Let me know if you want in.
@aces219 I’d go in on a few and am in Seattle.
@aces219 I’d be in for 4 (2 of each) if you still have a few left. Did you go forward with the order before it sold out???
@aces219 I too would be interested in 4 (2 of each), or whatever you’re willing to part with if you still have availability.
@chipgreen, @mrn1 Are you interested in a 3 way split of a case. 2 btls 2003, 2 btls 2004 for each of us? I’ll buy?
@Boatman72
Sure, I’m in. Thanks!
@Boatman72 @chipgreen Me too!
@Boatman72 Got the case! Whew, I must have been close to the end of the cases!
@Boatman72 @mrn1
Nice work!
@Boatman72 @chipgreen You’re the Man!!!
Anyone in the Madison wi area want to go splitsies?
@Jibis I would if the case quantities come back in stock - currently sold out
@Jibis @mb1973 Good to know there are other Madison folks down to go splitsies for future reference, though!
Well, we got the golden ticket this time! So we’ve done our best to taste the Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume 2003 for you. Some thoughts:
One thing I’ve read in the past is that a dessert wine should have enough acidity to cut through the sweetness. This wine isn’t cloying, but I’m not getting much acid. Definitely on the sweeter side of that spectrum.
Last note: My partner and I aren’t generally drinkers of dessert wine, so we probably won’t be going in for this. But it’s definitely nice for what it is. Hope that’s helpful!
@michaepf great review, thank you! Interesting about seemingly low acid, because Chenin Blanc usually has plenty of acid.
I have been drinking Baumard Quarts de Chaume for years in fact had a 93 a couple of months ago and she was singing! Never had this producer before tho. Nice to see a wine like this here!
@ScottW58 you going to split the case with me and Ron?
@klezman sure put me down for my first casemates purchase
@ScottW58 Love me some Baumard
@kaolis @ScottW58 Me too - it’s Scott’s fault I even know what Quarts de Chaume is!
@kaolis @klezman Well then I have done something good in my life
Lets not forget Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon since we are talking about Chenin. Another reasonably priced dessert Chenin that they only release after 10 or 15 years iirc. Much less sweet but every bit as complex imho.
If anyone in the NoVA is able to order the case, I’ll take a bottle of each vintage. I can’t front this case though after having just done the Angel eis one.
@HitAnyKey42 Yes, we should do this. If someone else with free shipping wants to front this, please do so, I’m in for whatever HitAnyKey42 and you (and Min) don’t take. If no one else will front, I will.
@HitAnyKey42 @PatrickKarcher I can do this one, but hopefully I’m not sitting on 8 myself. I mean I’ll drink them, but…
Tagging @hershelk and @wkdpanda since these are the types of things they may want in on as well.
@HitAnyKey42 haha, yes, i’m in for a bottle of each vintage (@PatrickKarcher you know me so well!)
Anyone Chicago area in? West burbs. I’d take 4. I’ll be between spots around delivery time so probably should not be the one to order. But happy to pay up front.
@kaolis seconding this. If anyone gets a case I can throw in for up to 4 bottles. I’m in Humboldt park.
@Asparagus @kaolis
I’d take the last four!
@Asparagus @kaolis @karenhynes
Now you just need a 4th person to actually buy the case so that the 3 of you can split it.
@Asparagus @chipgreen @kaolis
Cases are sold out???
@Asparagus @chipgreen @karenhynes Well we only needed 3 people for 4 each but guess we snoozed. I can buy just can’t have this one shipped to me
Welp, first time buying a case. I’m not into super sweet wines but hopefully this is a sweet that doesn’t instantly make me think of juice and more a pleasant treat.
Cases sold out, dang it.
@PatrickKarcher
Double dang.
@PatrickKarcher
@winedavid49 say it isn’t so!!
@PatrickKarcher @karenhynes Sometimes @winedavid49 will take some of the smaller quantities to make cases if the smaller volumes aren’t selling. That may not be the case here. (No pun intended!)
If anyone in/around NYC picked this up and is willing to part with a couple, let me know.
@InFrom I am also interested in New York.
/giphy acoustic-cursed-asiago
