Champagne Guiborat's Prisme 20 cuvée is a pure and crisp interpretation of chalk. Richard and Karine Fouquet have created a Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) Grand Cru, made exclusively from the 2020 harvest. Made from old vines located in the exceptional terroirs of Chouilly, Cramant, and Oiry, this champagne is vinified without malolactic fermentation to preserve its vibrant energy. With an Extra-Brut dosage (1.5 g/L), Prisme is a wine of precision, acting as an optical revelation of the Côte des Blancs terroir.
The production of Prisme 20
This champagne is 100% Chardonnay from a rigorous selection of Grand Cru classified plots on the Côte des Blancs. The average age of the vines is over 30 years, guaranteeing a beautiful aromatic concentration.
A Mosaic of Terroirs
The blend reflects the diversity of the chalk soils:
- Chouilly (57%): The majority, with the lieux-dits "Les Caurés" (planted in 1946 and 1998) and "Les Mont Aigu" (1969), bringing roundness and elegance.
- Cramant (22%): The "Les Bergeries" vineyard (1984), for power and minerality.
- Oiry (21%): The "Les Gros Monts" vineyard (1969), offering liveliness and integrity.
Purist Vinification
The quest for purity guides every step:
- Cœur de Cuvée: Only the highest quality juices ("Cuvée") are used.
- Vinification: Aged on fine lees for 7 months in stainless steel vats, a neutral material that respects the fruit.
- No Malolactic Fermentation: Natural acidity is preserved to guarantee tension and aging potential.
- Aging: Bottled in April 2021 and disgorged in November 2024, i.e., more than 3½ years on racks.
- Dosage: Extra-Brut at 1.5 g/L.
The 2020 vintage
The Prisme 20 cuvée is the exclusive reflection of the year 2020. A sunny and early vintage in Champagne, 2020 produced Chardonnays with great physiological maturity while retaining remarkable freshness. On these chalky terroirs, the year expresses itself through vibrant fruit and a silky texture.
Tasting notes
Color
The color is a crystalline pale yellow, with green highlights and lively, fine effervescence.
Nose
The nose is very pure, marked by chalk and fresh citrus fruits (lime, grapefruit). Aeration reveals notes of white flowers, flint, and a hint of iodine typical of the soils of Oiry and Chouilly.
Palate
On the palate, the attack is sharp and chiseled (the signature of the "sans malo" style). The texture is straightforward and taut, but enveloped by the maturity of the 2020 vintage. The finish is salty, persistent, and surgically precise.
Food pairing suggestions
- Fine oysters
- Scallop carpaccio with lemon caviar
- Sea bream sashimi
- Grilled white fish
- Roasted langoustines with lightly salted butter
- Seafood risotto with lemon zest
- Fresh goat cheese
- Mature Chaource
- Lemon meringue pie
Storage and serving tips
Aging potential
Thanks to the absence of malolactic fermentation, this wine has impressive vitality:
- 2025–2028: The wine is tense, with chalk and citrus notes (freshness phase).
- 2029–2035: It will gain complexity and patina, developing notes of fresh hazelnut and butter (fullness phase).
- Beyond 2035: For lovers of complex Blanc de Blancs, with aromas of wax, toasted hazelnut, and flint.
Serving suggestions
Serve this Blanc de Blancs well chilled, between 42°F and 46°F. A tulip or white wine glass is recommended to channel its sparkling minerality.
Anecdote about this cuvée
Why "Prisme"? Just as an optical prism breaks down light, this cuvée aims to break down and reveal the nuances of the chalky terroir of the Côte des Blancs. The absence of malolactic fermentation acts here like a magnifying lens, leaving no room for embellishment: it is the pure taste of chalk.
