2017 Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Domaine, Loire Valley
A$42.69
Availability:
Out of stock
SKU
B18408V17
100% Cabernet Franc. Le Domaine hails from Baudry's high-sited vines, which lie on a plateau above Chinon's première côte. The lion's share of the fruit comes from vines with an average age of around 35 years, planted on sandy, limestone-rich soils, while 20-30% is drawn from slightly younger vines on gravelly soils. The principle vineyard here is evocatively named Cimetière aux Chiens, which translates as 'dog cemetery' (probably a reference to the limestone that litters the soil here).
Harvested by hand, this wine was fermented naturally (without inoculation) in traditional cement vats. Aging occurred in both concrete and old casks for 15 months and the wine was bottled unfiltered, two springs after harvest. This is a considerably longer aging than in the past and is really making a difference. Baudry believes this drawn-out élevage brings more minerally limestone character to his wine and now it is much more seductive and approachable.
It has the meaty, earthy, 'animal' nose so typical of top-notch Chinon and a complex, fluid, sappy palate with roasted meat, wet earth, blackberry and menthol characters. It's a wine for the table, ideally with hearty meat dishes. This is not at all a modern, pure, fruit-driven red but rather it harks back to more rustic, complex, sauvage, Rabelaisian Chinons of old. It may not be for everyone, but it is nonetheless the kind of wine that made the region famous. And it is unique.
The nose has a darkness to it, a black cherry intensity dressed with an intense violet perfume. There is a delightful wealth of fruit on the palate though, pure and yet plump with scented cherry fruits. Harmonious and supple, there is nevertheless a dry and grained character to the middle and end of the palate. In the end, though, it is the fresh and perfumed fruits that dominate.
92-94 points Chris Kissak The Wine Doctor
| Product/Service Sold Out | Yes |
|---|---|
| En Primeur | No |
| New Arrivals | No |
| Wine Type | Red Wine |
| Wine Style | Certified Organic |
| Country | France |
| Varietals | Cabernet Franc |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Wine Points | 94 |
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