Saumur Les Arboises Domaine Guiberteau 2018

Romain Guiberteau has been running the family estate in Montreuil-Bellay, in the heart of the Saumur appellation, since 1996. Originally from Berry, this winemaker, who trained under Nady Foucault (of Clos Rougeard), has succeeded in establishing a distinctive and unique style, making Domaine Guiberteau one of the star estates of the Loire region today.
The vineyard covers approximately 16 hectares, spread across renowned winegrowing villages such as Montreuil-Bellay, Brézé and Bizay. Two iconic grape varieties are grown there: Chenin Blanc for white wine and Cabernet Franc for red. Some of the vines are over 60 years old, rooted in rich clay and limestone soils with tufa outcrops, lending the wines minerality and structure.
The estate is committed to an environmentally friendly approach and has been certified organic since 2003. Winegrowing is conducted according to stringent viticultural standards, with practices such as tilling, controlled grass cover, and treatments limited to sulphur, copper and plant extracts. The grapes are harvested entirely by hand and sorted in the vineyard to ensure purity and prevent flaws. In the winery, the approach is a low-intervention one, relying on natural yeasts and carefully controlled ageing, often for extended periods. The resulting wines are vibrant and flavour-forward with a strong personality.
In fact, Guiberteau’s white wines are among the most sought-after in the Loire. Lively, fruit-forward and deep, they brilliantly express the minerality of Brézé’s limestone terroirs. Some of the wines, such as Clos des Carmes or Clos de Guichaux, are comparable to the finest Burgundy whites. These delicate, saline wines are best kept for a while to allow their full complexity to unfold.
The reds, for their part, showcase the elegant and distinguished character of Cabernet Franc. A far cry from the rustic styles in which this variety is sometimes made, these Cabernet Franc – for which the harvest is entirely destemmed – display a refined texture, delicate tannins and the tension typical of the finest winegrowing terroirs. Les Arboises is a superb example of this, with its both concentrated and fresh character.
Renowned for his high standards, his discretion and his impressive consistency, Romain Guiberteau has established his estate as one of the leading names in the Loire Valley. Today, his wines are served at the finest restaurants, both in France and abroad. A must-try for lovers of lively, signature wines with a sense of place.

Les Arboises is a classy Saumur with very fruity aromas (red and black fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry) and also spicy notes. The palate is as elegant as the nose, with a very fine texture, suave and velvety. The length on the palate is good.