I stumbled upon some of the 2019 and can’t find anything on this cuvee posted previously. I am wondering what the ideal drinking window might be based on others’ experience. The domaine website indicates this cuvee comes from <30 year old vines and to drink it (the 2020 version at least) in 3-5 years. Anyone have an opinion about this one? Thanks!
From the Chambers Street email today:
New this year: The Cuvée Domaine as of 2020 is now the “Cuvée Candide” and the 2020 vintage is an astonishing wine! The Candide is from 15 to 40 year-old vines, on clay/limestone terroir in Benais and is equal to the superb 2018 and 2019, perhaps even better! The balance is just perfect at 12% alcohol. The wine shows a deep, vivid black/red color with bright rim with intense, pure aromas of cassis, black raspberry and blackberry confit (a little bighter than the 2019), stone and violets - very deep and ripe but still bright with earth and minerals as well… You get the idea. We have good stock, so should you
Domaine Guion makes wonderful wines. I have not tried this vintage yet, and normally just pay a couple bucks extra for the Cuvee Prestige, but I am rarely disappointed by anything made from this estate.
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Mucho gracias Robert
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They drink well young, and they drink well with age. Assuming you enjoy Loire Cab Franc, the value of Guion’s wines are silly. Drink some now, and put some in the back of your cellar and forget about them…
Michael
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I’ve been told that Cuvee Prestige is now known as Cuvee Authentique.
Michael
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Correct, starting with 2019
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Thanks for the unequivocal endorsement Michael.
I personally prefer even the Domaine / Candide with about 8-10 years on it. I really like these with some age but they don’t do much for me when they’re young. This is quite different than with Baudry, for instance, which I like young or with some age.
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I consider Guion’s to be as rustic as any Cab Franc can be (sometimes, too rustic even for my old-school taste). I don’t recall having any with considerable age, as with the fair price points and good drinkability, I drink them young. I’ve some 2008s-2010s at the offsite that I hope to hold off on for the future.
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I think that has historically been true for this estate, especially in lean years, like 2011 and 2013, but will say as we have seen warming climates, the wines have been more approachable and more round without necessarily losing their funky profile, think vintages, 2015 and 2018. In recent years, my favorite vintages for this estate have been 2014 and 2010. I also find that the special cuvée that sees a little bit more used oak, the Deux Mont, is also less rustic. This is a very good cuvee and worth the purchase.
In terms of aging, these wines can mature effortlessly. I think the best candidates for aging of recent note are vintages 2014 and 2010. I have had several bottles with over 20 to 25 years on them, and they were really quite delicious. Special thanks to Chambers for finding these little gems for me when I was putting together a mature Loire cab franc lineup.
But like Ramon, somehow I keep drinking these up way too fast!
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I had a 2012 and 2015 prestige recently that were quite nice and both maturing gracefully
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The 2008 Prestige was excellent about a year ago. I only have a couple left but am in no hurry based on prior showings.
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Ah, summer… Hottest day of the year in Seattle today. But now the sun is on the other side of our trees, a slight breeze is coming in off the Sound, and it’s quiet and cooling on the back deck.
Just finished dinner, which was a takeout prime rib sandwich and casual sides after a busy day. Popped open a 2022 Candide to accompany dinner. Primary, tasty, and a bit funky all at the same time. QPR all star…
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My latest experience with a Guion with some age was the 2010 Deux Monts. Not what I was hoping for, but have 2 more bottles to get through with.
Interesting. I have 6 but have opened none. Opened one of my six 2009 DM in 2017 and it was showing very little at the time. I would have to expect, given my outstanding experiences with aging the lesser wines, that these will come good at some point. Maybe I’ll stand an '09 to open with the '08 Prestige I have standing at some point in the near future.