TN: 2018 Guiberteau - Saumur Blanc "Les Moulins" (France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur)

WINE TALK
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2018 Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Les Moulins - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (4/25/2022)
– uncorked 15 min. before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over a couple hours –

NOSE: juicy; expressive; actually leans a bit into Riesling territory, oddly enough.

BODY: light to medium-light bodied; light gold flake color.

TASTE: high acidity; cold, clean, fresh brook; bright; pea shoots; light gooseberry and babbling brook mineral; not rich/heavy/flabby; 13.5% alc. not noticeable; little weak on the back end, but that’s picking nits. Excellent, and a bit surprisingly-so, given the vintage.

50, 5, 12, 16, 8 + (91+ pts.) Nearly added another point to the Nose, but we’ll leave it here for now.

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I’ve really grown to dislike Guiberteau. It’s Chenin trying to be Riesling and doing both poorly. Coupled with increasing prices and extremely uncertain aging, these are an easy pass for me.

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Interesting. I have found the opposite recently as they have stolen the show at a few tastings/dinners.

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I am happy that Guiberteau is not universally loved on the board. Makes getting the wines easier. A must buy for me every year

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I’m sorry you’ve had bad experiences with them, David, but I certainly don’t bemoan any buying competitors leaving the building. [wink.gif]

I will say, however, that Guiberteau’s “Carmes” saw a 20% increase from my usual source this year, which means I’m not sure if I’ll continue to buy that one on an annual basis.

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I’m intrigued by this part and I’d like to hear more of your thoughts on it. Personally, I disagree as I generally find that these are still very chenin-y and would likely be called that blind. But I definitely find the bolded interesting.

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I find the Guiberteau wines to have high acidity almost as an aesthetic to be more Riesling-like. In the end, though, the wines lack the textural qualities of a great Chenin or the aromatics and balance of a fine Riesling. All IMHO of course. neener

Happy to do my part in ceding the field for these wines to others. [snort.gif]

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Im a Guiberteau fan. I think the aim at high acidity levels has nothing to do with aiming to be riesling, but a trend towards fresher wines that has spawned from the natural wine scene.

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If anything the Carmes seem to mimic white Burg in texture and flavor (a bit) to my taste …

And as with white Burg, I’m concerned about advanced aging with some of the Guiberteau whites. Some pox notes at times.

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2018 Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Les Moulins - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur (7/4/2023)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over a few hours –

Bright, crisp, with high acidity and clean fruit flavors. No hay, beeswax, or wool. Hold if you want, but it’s delicious now. Excellent wine.

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