Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Clos de Guichaux 2016

Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Clos de Guichaux is a 1.6-hectare monopole at Bizay, in the commune of Épieds, rather than on the Brézé hill itself.

Saumur Blanc is dry Chenin Blanc grown on the limestone that runs south from the Loire, and the Clos de Guichaux sits on a topsoil of silty sand only about thirty centimetres deep over a relatively soft chalky bedrock. Shallow ground of that kind keeps yields modest and is much of the reason the wine has the cut it does. Romain Guiberteau planted the clos in 2003, seven years after taking over his family's vines at Mollay; the domaine now covers a little over nineteen hectares, farmed organically from 2000 and certified AB in 2007, with nothing used beyond sulphur, copper and essential oils. The grapes are sorted at harvest and pressed in whole bunches, fermentation runs on ambient yeasts, and malolactic conversion is blocked so the acidity is left intact. The wine is then aged nine to twelve months on lees in used barrels and filtered before bottling.

Worth a few years in bottle, or a decant if opened early. Serve at 10-12°C with roast poultry, grilled white fish or a hard goat's cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.