Baudry, Bernard 2023 Chinon "Les Granges"

From 35 to 40 year-old vines on gravel and sandy soils with a bit of clay near the Vienne river in organic agriculture. Hand harvested, fermented with wild yeasts, ages for 8 to 10 months in cement vats, minimal addition of SO2 only prior to bottling. This "basic" cuvée from Bernard and Matthieu Baudry has gotten more and more "serious" as the vines age, giving a wine that is delightful to drink young, but that shows surprising complexity and mineral character as well. "It has a beautiful colour in the glass, concentrated and vibrant, which had me checking the vintage. A classically poised nose, filled with warm, dark but fresh fruit, cherry stone, blackcurrant and blackberry. The palate takes this and adds a more floral edge, producing a charming and lightly textured style, fresh with just the barest touch of tannin. Fine grained and absolutely joyous. Drink now. The alcohol on the label is 12%." (Wine Doctor)