Domaine Stephane Guion
We first became addicted to the wines from Bourgueil when we shared a bottle over a pleasant lunch in Paris.
When we planned our Loire excursion we looked for an organic producer from this area and Stéphane Guion seemed to fit the bill perfectly having been one of the first to adopt organic practices in this area. The Bourgueil appellation area is centered on the village of the same name which lies to the west of Tours. It is a red wine only appellation.
He only produces two cuvees of red wine from his aged vines which range from 35 to 80 years old.
Stéphane is a quiet, thoughtful man who takes his winemaking very seriously and we think that results speak for themselves.
His wines are 'natural' because the vines are tended organically (and have been since 1965), he only uses the natural yeasts on the fruit to ferment the wines and there are no additives with the exception of very low amounts of sulphur added during bottling to preserve the wine on its long journey out here.
These two wines represent the most sensational value for money you are likely to find. They are great wines at a great price!
Domaine Stéphane Guion Bourgueil Cuvee Domaine Rouge 2008
This wine is produced from 100% Cabernet Franc and shows hints of raspberries and cherries on the nose. There are fine tannins providing structure to the wine and the wonderful fruit shines through. Drink this wine with good cheese or a roast dinner. No oak is used in the production of this wine.
Chambers Wines, one of the leading wine merchants in New York, send out an informative newsletter. In a recent edition they had this to say about the Cuvee Domaine 2008:
"A beautiful and well-priced Cabernet Franc that shows the benefits of two generations of organic farming, hand harvesting, wild yeasts, and minimal sulfites - bravo to the Guions!"
RRP: $21
Certified organic by Ecocert
Domaine Stéphane Guion Bourgueil Cuvee Prestige Rouge 2007
This wine is also 100% Cabernet Franc but has had some oak treatment. This is a fine, savoury wine with lovely tannins and good length on the palate. It represents excellent value for money and is currently drinking very well, but will also last for a considerable time in the cellar.
Once again a quote from the Chambers Wines Newsletter:
"Lovely nose of blackberries, wild berry fruit, mineral, earth and mashed violets. The palate has a rustic charm with burly tannins and wonderful purity of fruit. Really deep wine that cuts a swath across the palate. It will drink well over the next two or three years then, according to Guion, should be forgotten about for a few years, then re-emerge. We recently tasted the 1990 which was superb - don't delay in grabbing some of this lovely and inexpensive wine."
RRP: $23
Certified organic by Ecocert