4/4/26 - 

Since discovering the wines of Stephane Guion, back in 2009, I have considered his wines to be the best values in the store. But of course it's not all about the value as Stephane's wines offer a unique and beautiful expression of the superb clay/limestone terroirs in Benais (Bourgueil) with firm acidity and beautiful earth and mineral flavors underneath the deep red and black fruits of the Cabernet Franc grapes. Superb quality, regardless of price!
 
Domaine Guion was created by Stéphane's father in the 1950's and was certified organic beginning in 1965, and is now certified Biodynamic as well. The estate's 8 hectares are all in Benais mostly on Turonien limestone with varied depths of clay topsoil. Only 15% of the vines are on gravel topsoil, in "La Ruée," used primarily for the rosé and a small amount in the Cuvée Candide. The parcels are just west of Domaine de la Chevalerie and Domaine Breton, in the northern sector of Benais, on slopes facing south and southwest, which is prime real estate for ageworthy, mineral-laden Bourgueils!

The estates 60 years of organic farming are supplemented by Stéphane's no-nonsense winemaking - hand harvesting, fermentations with wild yeasts, a small addition of SO2 only after the malo and aging in cuve and used barrels. The wines are always marked by firm acidity and fantastic minerality - bravo to Stéphane Guion!
 
Just arrived is the full range of Stéphane's wines, 2018 to 2023:
Featuring the amazing 2022 "Cuvée Candide" $17.99! Deep, dark and delicious with wonderful earth tones and good acidity, this wine is drinking beautifully - enjoy for another 5 - 8 years!
2023 "Les Pionniers"  $18.99  Dedicated to Stéphane's parents, "pioneers" in organic farming beginning in 1964, among the first in France, and now biodynamic. This is his first wine vinified and bottled with zero-added sulfur dioxide! 
2019 Cuvee Authentique  $19.99  Gorgeous aromas of red and black fruits with floral, earth  and herbal notes, quite pretty and ripe. The palate shows deeper black fruits, earth, spice and stone with the intense mineral character and firm acidity always present in Stephane's wines. Enjoy until 2035
2018 Cuvée des Deux Monts $29.99  From  70-80 year-old vines in "Petit Mont" and "Grand Mont" towards the top of the slope above Benais, facing roughly south-west, clay over Turonien limestone (tuffeau, craie micacée). This is the terroir giving the most elegant and age-worthy Bourgueils - enjoy until 2045. 
2020 Cuvée Grand Mont  $31.99 A great wine from great terroir. The palate is beautifully balanced with a silky texture, round tannins and beautiful blackberry and black currant fruit, dark chocolate and earth with lovely freshness. Mineral flavors, firm acidity and ripe fruits continue in the long finish. Enjoy over the next 20 years.
2023 Bourgueil Rosé  $16.99  Finally close to maturity! It takes a few years for Stephane's Rosé to shed a bit of its bracing acidity and for the ripe berry fruits to fully emerge. A product of serious limestone/gravel terroir, this is the perfect wine for grilled chicken on a hot day this summer - and all year-round. 
NV (2023) Methode Traditionelle Rosé "Bete de Benais" $19.99  Stéphane has made his first ever methode traditionnelle sparkling rosé from Cabernet Franc vines in a new parcel on clay/limestone soils in Benais. Delightful wine! 
And in 2023, Stéphane made a Crémant de Loire $19.99 The wine shows a very slight blush of pink, with hints of rose, red currant and citrus fruit, surprisingly elegant. The mousse is lively and bright, in perfect balance with subtle red fruits, citrus, stone and minerals, finishing with hints of red berries and creamy acidity. Wow, delicious!

*Our Best Values!
For today's offer I asked the staff to choose their favorite wines in the store that offer a similar level of quality and value to those of Domaine Guion. Here are some Staff Favorites for quality and value:

Orsi Vigneto San Vito Vino Bianco Frizzante $24.99
Federico Orsi is making some of my favorite wines just outside Bologna. He is a farmer first, growing vegetables for local restaurants, breeding Mora Romagnola pigs, and tending to vines of native grapes like Pignoletto. Today's wine is a Frizzante of Pignoletto bottled with its lees to achieve a fun, frothy and gastronomic wine. I will be sipping this all Spring and Summer in Prospect Park with things like prosciutto & melon, rosemary crackers, and various cheeses! - Marisa

2022 Kolfok Intra! The Wild Red $28.99
Just in time for Spring comes Kolfok's Intra! The Wild Red, an organically farmed Blaufrankisch from a cool north facing vineyard In Burgenland. All the grapes are destemmed, undergo intracellular fermentation, and then aging takes place in large used 1200 liter Austrian barrels. The nose has beautiful notes of cherry and plum. It is an incredibly lively wine with juicy fruit and a light, fresh finish! Perfect served with a slight chill, an excellent choice as we move towards warmer months. - Hanna

2025 Pax Chenin Blanc Helios $23.99
The Pax Helios Chenin is sourced from 50% Lyman Ranch (Amador County), 33% Marine Terraces (Santa Cruz Mountains) and 17% Alder Springs Vineyard (Laytonville)This has been a revelation in terms of price to quality in recent years, and is a must try for anyone who loves Chenin but might be skeptical of anything coming from outside of the Loire Valley! - Jeff

2022 Le Thadee Du Rasole Umbria IGT Bianco $16.99
This wine is a blend of Trebbiano Spoletino from 120 year-old vines, with Grechetto, both native Umbrian grapes. So much value and history in the bottle at an incredible price point. Medium bodied with great acidity and tension. Golden fruit, lemongrass, hay, pear and a little nuttiness in the finish. Super fresh and fun! - Blake

2020 Quinta do Popa Douro Reserve $23.99
With Portuguese wines often regarded as some of the best values in the wine market, it's tough to pick the greatest of them all. What makes Quinta do Popa's 2020 Douro Reserve a cut above the rest is just how serious of a wine it is at $23.99. This is a classic blend from the Douro of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinto Cão. The palate shows plenty of structure but with good acidity that gives energy to the brooding notes of concentrated dark fruit, cocoa and coffee. Fantastic now, I'm looking forward to drinking more of this wine over the next decade. - Nick

2022 Frascole Chianti Ruffina - $19.99
Back on our shelves after a much too long hiatus is the lovely Frascole Chianti Rufina. The nose delivers ripe cherry spread widely over a fine mineral base. Taking a sip reveals a refreshing balance of fruit and acid with just enough grip on the palate to bring you back for another sip. Frascole is family run and organically farmed. This wine is mostly Sangiovese from 50 year old vines with small percentages of Canaiolo and Colorino. Beautifully classic and delicious, Frascole serves wonderfully as a weeknight option for American Italian fare and more. - Kaelen

2023 Pierre-O Bonhomme Vin de France "Le Telquel" - $24.99
This "poil dur" puppy was wagging its tail again in 2023 and we're happy that there's a little bit left of this delicious wine! Our favorite dog wine is a blend of mostly Gamay with a dash of Pinot Noir from vineyards around Cheverny - we can't wait to chill a few down and enjoy with good company. Thanks Pierre-O! - Eben

>>>VIEW THE WINES<<<