Shop

Tasting the 2009 vintage at Domaine Baudry reminds me of the 1989's. Although the vintage 2009 isn't better than 89, in my opinion, the Baudry's have progressed in their vineyard work and winemaking and are now the top estate in Chinon. This first red of 2009 has deep red purple color and is is bursting with strawberry and red currant fruit. There is good acidity and the alcohol level is moderate at 12.3%, making this a refreshing and delicious wine for summer cook-outs, or all year long. Congratulations to the Baudrys, who are now in conversion for organic certification, for this yummy wine, really "super-bon!"

From a hillside vineyard of clay over limestone facing due south. Fermentation in wooden cuves with pigeage, aged in barriques of 1 to 3 years for about 14 months. This is tannic with deep, dark, very ripe fruit but still possessing bright acidity and perfect balance. This will need some time before drinking but will become a very complex and elegant Chinon - peak drinking perhaps between 10 and 20 years from now. "The most consistent wines in my cellar are Loire Valley reds" said a customer of ours last week - skip those 100-point 2007 Chateauneufs and buy more Chinon! (Only 10 cases available, with hopefully more to come...)

The Baudry's Les Granges cuvee is from vineyards near the Vienne on sand and gravel soils. It's a fabulous Chinon to drink young with quite lush strawberry and raspberry fruit backed by crisp acidity. Hand harvested, wild yeast fermentation, in conversion to organic certification and yummy!