Benoit Courault, VdF Blanc "Gilbourg", 2023

“Gilbourg” is the crown jewel of Benoît Courault’s white wines—a single parcel of old-vine Chenin Blanc, grown on clay and schist soils in Faye-d’Anjou. Compared to his more playful “Empreinte,” this cuvée is deeper, more structured, and built for the long haul, while still bearing the soulful, no-frills signature of the domaine. The 2023 vintage channels that tension beautifully: citrus oil, quince, and orchard fruit laced with flinty minerality and a faint oxidative whisper from long aging on lees. Fermentation is spontaneous, and aging takes place in used barrels, where the wine rests undisturbed before being bottled with minimal sulfur. What makes “Gibourg” special is its combination of wildness and poise. It’s unmistakably a natural wine, but there’s nothing chaotic—just texture, quiet power, and a sense of place that leans more Savennières or Montlouis than typical Vin de France. Drink it now with rich seafood or aged cheese, or cellar it for a few years to see it unfold. A must-