Triangle de Guffens - Le Triangle de Guffens 2019

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The Verget wine merchant is part of the Guffens-Heynen “trilogy,” where Jean-Marie Guffens, supported by his loyal right-hand man Julien Desplans, applies the time-tested methods he has used on his elite estate since the 1980s—methods that serve as a global benchmark for Chardonnay. The flagship here remains the Mâconnais, but purchases from the Chablis region are regular, and depending on the vintages, there are fine cuvées from the Côte de Beaune. Reserving en primeur is all the more advisable as it offers the opportunity to purchase “terroir-less” wines in screw-cap bottles, proof that terroir isn’t always the sole determinant of quality. Finally, it’s worth noting that this is the place to stock up on Guffens aux Tourettes and Verget du Sud, at unbeatable value-for-money prices, as reviewed in the Rhône Valley section of this guide. An exemplary destination.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A blend combining Guffens press wine from Domaine Guffens-Heynen, Sémillon from its Château Closiot in Barsac, and Viognier from its Château de Tourettes in the Luberon, the 2019 Vin de France Triangle de Guffens is an unprecedented wine. Blending aromas of yellow orchard fruits, pear, beeswax, dried white flowers, and apricots, it is full-bodied, silky, and harmonious, with an enveloping core of fruit supported by lively acidity. But what is perhaps most impressive is that none of its components dominates the final blend. Bottled with a screw cap, I suspect its longevity will surprise us.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Composed of 28% Sémillon from Barsac (Closiot), 20% Viognier, and 20% Roussanne from Domaine des Tourettes, plus 30% Burgundy Chardonnay. Oaked? Everything is oaked except the Chardonnays, which are first-pressings from Guffens-Heynens. The Chardonnay certainly dominates the nose, but this first impression captivates with its complexity, its lovely toasted and grilled notes, and a consistency from start to finish. The aromatics are very impressive, very Guffens. The palate blends power and freshness, noble oak, and a refined structure into a superb balance. Purity and texture worthy of the greatest wines.

About the estate:

Jean-Marie Guffens has poured all his talent and high standards into this bespoke wine merchant, founded in 1990. Julien Desplans, a brilliant oenologist trained at Romanée-Conti, has been at the helm of Maison Verget since 2012. Named “Wine Merchant of the Year” by the RVF jury in 2020, the house is unanimously praised for its unparalleled winemaking, highly selective sourcing, and precision in pressing and aging. Let us celebrate these masterfully crafted 2019 vintages.