A Visit to Domaine Ogereau, 2017: Vent de Spilite
Before we visited the Quarts de Chaume we first headed from Bonnes Blanches on the left bank over to the right bank of the Layon, first calling in on the Ogereau vineyard on the band of spilite that runs almost parallel to the Layon. There is a quarry here (spilite is apparently a good material for the manufacture of new road surfaces), a huge water-filled scar on the landscape thankfully only really visible from the air. The slope downwards towards the Layon is gentle here, and at the foot of this gentle incline are sign-posts (pictured) erected by Pithon-Paillé indicating the distance to various cities across the world. Beyond the signposts the land falls away steeply, this being Les Treilles, surely the most famous Pithon-Paillé vineyard. On the far bank of the river is Bonnes Blanches with its stone cabanes, and in the distance St Lambert du Lattay (all visible below).
Just to the left are the Ogereau family’s vines, which here amount to 1.7 hectares. These vines vary considerably in age, some dating back to the 1950s, while others were planted in 2013 and 2015, and there are more parcels destined for uprooting and replanting in the immediate future. They are planting Chenin Blanc here, a good choice. Along this ridge of spilite is Château Pierre-Bise and the Rouannières vineyard, the Pierrebise parcel belonging to Pithon-Paillé and the Litus parcel of Eric Morgat. Emmanuel and Vincent Ogereau are in good company.
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