Reuilly

Grower Profiles

Guy Malbête
Guy Malbête is the fourth generation of a very old Berrichone family to have made wine. Proudly independent, when interviewed he described himself as ‘100% vigneron’. He’d taken over from his father, Marcel, in 1979. I was warned prior to my arrival that he was something of a character within the appellation, but there was also a distinct air of melancholy; sadly Guy and Marie-France’s son, Arnaud, who was being groomed to take over from his soon to be retired father, was killed in a car crash in February 2010 on his way home after a night out in Bourges. He was 34 years old. For the moment, Arnaud’s sister, Florence, is assisting her father until some sort of decision can be made on the succession of the domaine.

With ten hectares of vines, the Malbêtes are a significant independent grower within the appellation; their parcels being located in the renowned lieux-dits of ‘Les Ferrières’, ‘Sablons’, ‘Grandes Vignes’ and ‘Les Clos des Messieurs’. There are equal amounts of Sauvignon and Pinot Noir planted, with the balance made up of two hectares of Pinot Gris.

The wines are workable rather than exciting, the 2009 Pinot Gris being the most interesting of the trio of wines presented. Sadly the 2008 white fell short and lacks any real definition, whilst the red, also from 2008, was somewhat dull and ordinary. 

Guy Malbête
16 Chemin du Boulanger
Le Bois Saint-Denis
Reuilly
T: + 33 2 54 49 25 09
F: + 33 2 54 49 27 49
Earl.guymalbete@wanadoo.fr

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