Loire Nobility
2012 Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Brézé
Brézé has long been held as one of the Loire's "Grand Crus."
Even though its renown goes back a couple of centuries or more, for many of us, the site was put on the map by Clos Rougeard. Lately, much of the attention has been going to a Rougeard disciple.
Romain Guiberteau's Brézé is striking. It blazes across the palate with an exceedingly elegant cascade of chalky minerality. The lift, finesse and length leave a lasting imprint.
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Guiberteau's 2012s show an incredible vivacity and riveting expressiveness. The 2012s are similar to Guiberteau's 2010s only a bit richer, denser and slightly more open. All the concentration comes at a cost - the yields were brutally low.
Brézé, with its clay-rich limestone soils, delivers Chenin Blancs of unparalleled refinement, depth and sleek, kinetic energy. 2012 provided a perfect platform for Guiberteau to show his touch with the site. There's great clarity and just enough roundness and power to flesh out the wine's grandeur.
The domaine has seen a few pivotal moments: first, in the fifties, Robert Guiberteau bought several parcels in Brézé, one of the greatest sites in the Loire. After that, the arrival of Romain Guiberteau, Robert's son, in 1996 proved to be decisive. He took over the vineyards, which had been leased out after Robert retired. In little time, Romain established the domaine as one of the most exciting and sought after in the Loire.
There's no denying that Guiberteau's signature is a certain intensity. He doesn't miss an opportunity to bring things into tighter focus, sharpen edges or ratchet up the impact. No doubt these leave an impression, especially the Brézé. I expect this to sell out quickly. Please give us your ideal order and we’ll try our best.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits