Domaine Guy Breton

Guy Breton estate

Who has never heard of “ P'tit Max ” in the world of natural wine? Guy Breton is part of the generation that changed customs in the consumption of natural wine. A figure in the Beaujolais, a talent that has been able to highlight this grape variety so loved by epi-curieux: The Gamay.

Guy Breton's story

Guy Breton is part of the Marcel Lapierre generation, also renamed “ Gang of 4 ” by Kermit Lynch (the great American importer). Why Gang of 4? Because it brought together the greatest friends of Beaujolais ; Marcel Lapierre, Jean-Paul Thévenet (Paul Po) and Jean Foillard (themselves inspired by the immense Jules Chauvet). Then followed by Jean-Claude Chanudet aka Le Chat, Georges Descombes aka Le Noun', Yvon Métras, Jean-Jacques Robert, etc. Before becoming a figure, Guy Breton began his story in 1986, when he took over the family estate. At the time, the grapes were sold to cooperatives, the masters of Beaujolais. This has also somewhat tarnished the image of Beaujolais wines, with the use of many inputs during vinification, Gamay with an artificial image. But that was before the big names in this region brought up to date this emblematic grape variety with aromas of fresh, delicious red fruits and a magnificent ability to age.

Beaujolais natural wine

Installed in the commune of Villié-Morgon , and pushed by Marcel Lapierre , Guy Breton began to cultivate the most beautiful old vines of the Morgon appellation. Today, he works 7 hectares of vines, in the appellations of Morgon, Régnié, Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie and for some time now, Chiroubles in purchasing grapes. P'tit Max is also renowned by lovers of Gamay and natural wine for being the gentleman of Beaujolais Nouveau. These primeurs are incredibly delicious and pure that everyone loves the Franchon bottle. Concerned about the environment and this heritage, “P'tit Max” uses zero pesticides or other synthetic products in the vineyard. If necessary (illness), only practices respectful of the land and the grapes will be used. Ideally exposed to the northeast, on the plots of Saint-Joseph and Grands Cras, the wines of Guy Breton are fresh. The harvest is carried out late compared to other winegrowers, for deeper wines. There is no artifice in his wines, the vinification is natural. The macerations are carbonic or semi-carbonic, cold start to get fruit and complexity. The duration of these evolves according to the year. The whole then goes into an old vertical press, then there is aging (epoxy vats, or barrels for the oldest vines). An incomparable style, the wines of Guy Breton are unique.
The epi-curieux.com team has selected several references from Guy Breton just for you. Wines to absolutely have in your cellar for purists, and wines to absolutely taste for novices. Discover the pure expression of Gamay from Beaujolais.

Guy Breton wines

Guy Breton works his vines masterfully in several appellations. There is of course the mythical Marylou in Beaujolais Villages bottle. This bottle, which bears the first name of his eldest daughter, is quite simply, a fruit bomb. It's a Gamay that we like to open to spend a moment of sharing! High drinkability coefficient! Let's talk about primeurs, the Franchon bottle. A Beaujolais-nouveau therefore with the crazy gluttony that purists are tearing up. A real fruit juice. A festive wine, which brings people together and does good wherever it goes! Guy Breton had to refer to his nickname through his passion. Here is the p'tit Max in Morgon! An evocative name for THE bottle of the estate, almost century-old vines on this exceptional soil, aging in wood, all tamed by the great Guy Breton; this gives a Morgon of incredible depth, with very pronounced fruit aromas. Patience will be required, because p'tit Max has just exceptional aging potential (nothing to be ashamed of in the face of Burgundy wines!). More than one appellation to his credit, Guy Breton also operates the Fleurie vines. A little jewel of Gamay, this Fleurie with its more expressive maturity offers a nice balance on its fruity side, all in freshness, and on the other a finesse very well mastered by Guy Breton. Last sunny vintage, time will allow it to express itself even better… The queen appellation of the Guy Breton estate? Morgon, and more particularly the Morgon Vieilles Vignes bottle. Coming from centuries-old vines, this velvet-mouthed Morgon is simply a treat for the taste buds. Your turn to judge! Are you looking for Guy Breton candy? The bottle which is an explosion of fruit, with incredible drinkability, it is then necessary to go to the Régnié bottle. The wine to be enjoyed at any time; a fluid, balanced, perfect Gamay!? Let's test a new soil with the Chiroubles Cuvée Léa from Guy Breton estate. Coming from shallow, sandy soils, this Chiroubles expresses the Gamay with complexity, minerality, and always lots of fruit like the wines of Guy Breton know how to do. Finally, the last appellation on which Guy Breton cultivates his vines is the Côte de Brouilly. A perfect balance between soil and vintage, all led by the genius Guy Breton! A Gamay to discover for lovers of Beaujolais.
The epi-curieux.com team measures how lucky it is to be able to offer you Guy Breton's Gamay! Enjoy it. Keep them in the cellar if you can, quite exceptional wines for laying down, and for the impatient, have a good tasting!