Tasting Notes
100% Cabernet Franc. Les Chapaudaises is located in Bizay terroir, in the small village of Épieds, within half a kilometre of Saumur’s prized hill of Brézé. It’s next to Guiberteau’s monopole Clos de Guichaux, on the same sandy tuffeau limestone, the vines a mix of Chenin Blanc and old-vine Cabernet Franc. One hectare of the Chenin is leased to Romain’s right-hand-man, Brendan Stater-West, with the remaining Chenin finding its way into the Saumur Blanc. But it’s the 1948-planted Cabernet Franc that is Guiberteau’s prize here.
The fruit was destemmed and wild-fermented in concrete, then aged in conical Rousseau vats for one year before resting in tank for six months. Even in warm years, Guiberteau calls Les Chapaudaises a “terroir for freshness”; the soils are very acidic and the deep roots benefit from the strong water retention of the underlying limestone. It’s the most elegant red in this release, flowing with lithe, crisp raspberry and cherry fruit with hints of tobacco and spice. The tannins are wispy and fresh, bringing Pinot-like shape and structure to the finish. - Importer Note
Domaine Guiberteau has rapidly ascended to cult status in the Loire Valley, producing some of the region’s most thrilling expressions of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Based in Saumur, the domaine is centred on old vines planted in the Brézé area, a terroir long regarded as one of the Loire’s greatest for Chenin Blanc. The vineyards sit on chalky tuffeau limestone with clay and sand topsoils, yielding wines of striking tension, depth and longevity.
The domaine’s history dates back to the early 20th century, but its modern renaissance began in the late 1990s when Romain Guiberteau returned to take over from his grandfather. With guidance from Clos Rougeard’s Nady Foucault, he embraced organic viticulture, rigorous vineyard selection, and a philosophy of minimal intervention in the cellar. Today, Guiberteau farms around 9 hectares, all certified organic, with a focus on low yields and precision.
His range spans from the vibrant and saline Saumur Blanc and Saumur Rouge, to single-vineyard bottlings such as Clos de Guichaux, Les Arboises and the legendary Brézé, each reflecting the nuances of their specific sites. The whites are crystalline and mineral, often compared to great white Burgundy, while the reds show Cabernet Franc at its most refined, combining perfume, texture and intensity.
Domaine Guiberteau has become a touchstone for the new generation of Loire growers: a domaine that delivers wines of both immediate drinkability and profound cellar potential, with authenticity and terroir at their core.
| Product Type | Wine Red Cabernet Franc |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Loire Valley |
| Sub Region | Saumur |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |