Bernard Baudry Chinon Le Domaine Rouge 2017

Tasting Notes

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. -Importer Note