Guiborat Fils
Run by the lovely Karine and Richard Fouquet, who took over from Karine’s parents in 1995. This house shows a lovely clean, terroir focused approach to the fruit of Cramant and surrounding Chouilly and Oiry.
From 1981 to 1995 the vineyards were rented out but on taking over Richard commenced with production with the great 1996 vintage (which I hope will see the light of day in the next year or so…). Although owning 8 hectares they produce their wines from only 3, using the best vines in Cramant, Chouilly, Oiry and some Meunier from Mardeuil. Since 2013 they have stopped malolactic fermentation and increased cellar aging by one year. They use a small 2000kg press and small steel tanks so they can vinify individual parcels. They use a very small amount of oak for their single parcel wines produced. In the vineyards no herbicides are used.
Tradition Extra Brut, their base cuvee, is a blend of Chardonnay from Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry and Meunier from Mardeuil. Just over 5 grams of sugar it has a lively front end and delightfully soft mousse.
Their Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut is noticeable step up in quality and precision. Produced from the vineyards of Les Begeries in Cramant, Le Mont Aigu and Les Caures in Chouilly and Les Briquettes in Oiry. Notes of seashell and salt and a palate of tropical delight. Chalky, lemony and delicious!
Their Millesime is a blend of two vineyards in Chouilly; Le Mont Aigu and Les Caures. The 2009 showed a much more tropical nose, an explosive citrus palate and with a pithey end note which draws the palate in well.
As with many producers Guiborat Fils have chosen to release a couple of single vineyard wines. Les Caures 46 Millesime 2005, is 40/60 blend of oak and steel vat. No malolactic fermentation in the oak. Dosage is 5.6g/ltr. The oak sits at the front end at the moment but lifts to reveal seashell and chalk. There is nice weight to the fruit with a well balanced orange rind note to the finish.
In the next year another single vineyard wine will be released under the name Mont Aigu 70 2008. Named after the vineyard, in Chouilly, the year of plantation, and the year of harvest. 20% oak in 400 litre barrels. It shows a wonderful saline structure. A lot more powerful than Les Caures 46 and a superb balance of fruit and oak. A delicious wine that I look forward to enjoying in the future!
Village: Cramant
Region: La Cote des Blancs
Type: RM
Contact: Richard Fouquet Guiborat
Cuvée De Prestige:
Parent Group:
Year Founded: 1885
Hectares: 8
Bottles produced:
Style: Crisp, chalky, clean
Terroir: Cramant, Chouilly, Oiry, Mardeuil
Vinification: Vinifies in plots, steel (one barrel used for single plot cuvee), No Malolactic fermentation since 2013.
Viticulture: No herbicides.
- 3.988301
- 48.989723
Recent Tasting Notes from Guiborat Fils
Guiborat Fils Millesime Extra Brut 2006
Tasted:April 15, 2014
Score: 84-88