Baudry, Bernard 2021 Chinon Les Mollieres

2020 was the first individual bottling of this particular 1-hectare plot, Mollières, which previously was incorporated into the "Domaine" cuvée. Mollières lies to the west of the town of Chinon, on a high spot having both northern and southern exposure. It is a windy, well-exposed site with heavy clay and yellow limestone soils - Bernard particularly likes this terroir. The fruit is destemmed without crushing and moved by gravity into unlined cement vats. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts and without sulfur or temperature control; maceration lasts around two weeks with a daily pumpover and no punchdowns. The wine is aged in concrete tank for 15 months and bottled without filtration. Sulfur usage is minimal. Tasted in January of 2023, the 2021 Mollières showed very pretty extremely floral earthy red fruits, quite fine and delicate. The palate was light, chalky and pure with vibrant berry fruits, with herbal, earth and mineral notes. No extraction or oak aging, just beautiful expression of this classic Chinon terroir. Serve with white meats, fish, charcuterie, mild cheeses, aging of ten to fifteen years will be interesting. -David Lillie