In the Grand Cru village of Cramant, Domaine Guiborat has quietly evolved from a traditional grape-growing family, established in 1885, into one of the Côte des Blancs’ more focused grower-producers. When Richard Fouquet took over in 1996, he shifted the estate away from selling fruit to houses like Laurent-Perrier and instead put his attention toward estate bottling, narrowing in on their best sites. Today, the family farms about 8 hectares—primarily Grand Cru Chardonnay in Cramant, Chouilly, and Oiry—though only a small portion is reserved for their own wines. Old vines, careful organic farming, and low yields define the approach, all aimed at capturing the direct, mineral-driven character of the Côte des Blancs’ deep chalk soils.

The 2020 “Prisme” Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is drawn from a handful of these sites, including Les Bergeries in Cramant and parcels in Chouilly, each vinified separately before blending. Fermented in stainless steel without malolactic conversion and aged more than 40 months on its lees, it’s finished as an Extra Brut with minimal dosage. The result is a Chardonnay that leans into structure and clarity: citrus peel, green apple, and white flowers layered over a firm chalky backbone, with a long, saline finish. It’s a precise expression of both vintage and place, built more on line and persistence than overt richness.

Why You’ll Love It
This is a pure taste of Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, shaped by thoughtful farming and restrained winemaking. Tension and length without austerity, balancing citrus brightness with a steady mineral core.

How to Serve It
Serve well-chilled, around 46–50°F, in a white wine glass to give it room to open. It works naturally with oysters, shellfish, or simply prepared fish, but just as compelling on its own in the glass.