By the Gilbert & Gaillard team - Photographs: courtesy of the estates, posted on 13 November 2025
The Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge travelled to the Maison des Vins de Gaillac from October 21 to 23, 2025, for an exceptional primeur tasting session. For this first edition in the Tarn region, François Gilbert led the tasting alongside Marianne Baills, the regional manager. A memorable event, held in the very heart of a vineyard with a truly unique and endearing identity.
Why a Primeur Session in Gaillac?
The Gaillac wine region stands apart, a land of rare authenticity and a winemaking heritage that stretches back thousands of years. Here, in the southwest of France, about fifty kilometers from Toulouse, vines have flourished for over 2,000 years. The region’s wine history is closely tied to the Tarn River: as early as Roman times, local wines were exported to Bordeaux, Brittany, and even England. Today, Gaillac continues to charm with its diversity: powerful reds, dry or semi-sparkling whites, sweet wines, fresh rosés, and distinctive sparkling wines.
Exceptional Terroirs and Unique Grape Varieties
The vineyard enjoys a temperate oceanic climate with Mediterranean influences, hot, dry summers and sunny autumns ideal for ripening grapes. Its geological diversity is remarkable:
- The slopes: clay-limestone soils producing powerful, structured reds
- The terraces: sand and gravel, yielding supple, fruity wines
- The plateaus: limestone and boulbènes, offering balance and finesse
Above all, Gaillac is home to a treasure of indigenous grape varieties:
- Red varieties: Duras (spicy and firm), Braucol (fresh and structured), Prunelart (deep, fruity)
- White varieties: Mauzac (the emblematic grape of Gaillac), Loin de l’Œil (broad and aromatic), Muscadelle (delicate and floral), Ondenc (elegant, perfect for sweet wines)
The 2025 Primeur Tasting: A Look Back
Marianne Baills and François Gilbert during the 2025 en primeur tasting
It was only natural that our tasting panel would inaugurate this first primeur session in Gaillac. Local winemakers, supported by the Maison des Vins, participated with great enthusiasm. Beyond the commercial aspect of new wines, this event was a chance to highlight the personality of each grape variety and to reaffirm the stylistic diversity of the appellation.
Gaillac 2025: Small Yields, Great Quality, and a Return to Essentials
The 2025 vintage was defined by demanding weather conditions. After a mild spring punctuated by storms, summer arrived abruptly, hot and dry. Yields were lower, especially on well-drained soils and younger vines, yet the quality of the grapes was exceptional: full maturity, perfect health, and impressive aromatic concentration. The reds display deep color, density, fine-grained tannins, and vibrant spice notes. The whites stand out for their precision, tension, and freshness, supported by naturally preserved acidity. From an economic standpoint, caution remains essential. Previous stocks continue to weigh on cash flow, but the 2025 vintage offers a strong opportunity for value creation. A sincere, artisanal vintage, shaped by discipline, authenticity, and passion.
Gaillac Primeur Whites 2025: Crisp and Radiant
The 2025 white primeurs reveal radiant aromatic expression, apple, pear, citrus, with crisp, juicy palates combining freshness and charm.
Château Clément Termes
Gaillac Primeur Blanc 2025
80% Muscadelle, 20% Loin de l’Oeil
90 Points: "Pale yellow with green highlights. The nose is clean and expressive, blending notes of apple, pear, citrus, and white flowers. The palate is fleshy, vibrant, and delicately tart, with lovely precision and length. A wine of immediate pleasure."
Château Clément Termes, with 150 years of history and now led by Caroline and Olivier David, truly embodies the spirit of Gaillac. Located in Lisle-sur-Tarn, the estate captures the richness of local grape varieties through a range that perfectly balances tradition and modernity.
Château de Terride
Gaillac Primeur Blanc 2025
100% Loin de l’Oeil
90 Points: "Bright, light-yellow hue. The nose opens with appealing notes of green apple, heady flowers, and citrus zest. The palate is supple, rounded, and fresh, with fine aromatic persistence. A distinctive, gourmand expression of Loin de l’Oeil."
Perched above the Grésigne forest near Puycelsi, Château de Terride is a place apart, often compared to Tuscany for the beauty of its landscapes. Alix and Romain craft sincere wines rooted in regional character yet open to modern inspirations.
Château de Terride
Gaillac Primeur Reds 2025: The Year of Duras
A significant innovation this year: the “Primeur” designation is now open to the Duras grape, which was previously limited to Gamay. This evolution offers winemakers greater creative freedom while celebrating one of Gaillac’s most emblematic varieties. The reds show expressive aromas of red fruits and spices, with refined, balanced, and lively palates.
Domaine Philémon
Gaillac Primeur Rouge 2025
100% Duras
92 Points: "Deeply colored with purple highlights. Explosive nose of ripe black fruits and spices. Ripe, lively, and vibrant palate. Duras at its most expressive."
At Domaine Philémon in Villeneuve-sur-Vère, Stéphanie and Mathieu Vieules embody the authenticity of Gaillac through organic farming, natural winemaking, and a deep respect for terroir. Their 100% Duras cuvée achieved the highest score of the tasting, a powerful tribute to this native grape.
Mathieu Vieules - Domaine Philémon
Domaine Vayssette
Gaillac Primeur Rouge 2025
100% Gamay
90 Points: "Ruby color with violet hues. Expressive nose of red fruits and pepper. Fine, fresh palate with precise fruit. A well-crafted primeur."
From the hills above Gaillac, Patrice and Nathalie Vayssette continue a family tradition centered on indigenous varieties and sustainable viticulture. Their wines convey the very essence of the terroir.
Domaine Vayssette
Domaine de Labarthe
Gaillac Primeur Rouge 2025
100% Gamay
90 Points: "Medium ruby color. Clear nose of candied cherry. Supple, fleshy, and peppery palate. Very pleasant!"
At Domaine de Labarthe, Jean-Paul and Thibault Albert produce honest, organically certified wines that reflect their respect for life and the land. Each bottle is a faithful expression of the Tarn’s spirit.
Domaine de Labarthe
Maison des Vins de Gaillac: A Dynamic and Dedicated Team
Nestled within the Abbaye Saint-Michel, on the banks of the Tarn River, the Maison des Vins de Gaillac is a true showcase for the discovery of the region’s vineyards. We extend our warmest thanks to the entire team for their genuine, heartfelt, and welcoming hospitality during this first primeur edition. A special mention to Gwendoline Camalet and Caroline Granado, whose invaluable support and exemplary commitment were key to the event’s success. Their infectious enthusiasm, close relationship with local growers, and authentic values bring a rare vitality to the wine world. At the Maison des Vins, we truly felt part of a larger family, that of a living, supportive, and passionate vineyard community.
Our sincere thanks also go to Cédric Carcenac (Domaine Carcenac), Séverin Blanc (Domaine des Vergnades), and Nathalie Caussé (Domaine de Gayssou) for their enriching conversations about the vision and future of the appellation. One thing is certain: we will keep talking about Gaillac, a vineyard where wine has a soul, and its people, an unwavering passion.
La Maison des Vins de Gaillac
