Baudry, Bernard 2022 Chinon "Le Domaine"

The Baudry Chinon "Domaine" is always one of our favorite reds from the Loire Valley and it's a sensational value as well.   All Cabernet Franc of course, a blend of 70% from a parcel in St. Louans near "Les Mollières" where the thin sand and clay over limestone soils give earthy well-structured wines, with 30% from gravel soils near Cravant, giving supple fruit and freshness. Organic farming, wild-yeast fermentation, aging 15 months in 5 to 10 year-old wooden vats and cement with almost no added SO2. Tasted at the estate from vat in January of 2023, our notes are just one word: "perfect!" We love the unique combination of earth, mineral and old-fashioned high-toned fruit from the yellow limestone with the sapid, darker fruit and supple texture contributed by the gravel soils. The 2022 will drink beautifully as a young wine, but will need aeration or opening the day before, and aging of 5 to 10 years is highly recommended. (We have a case of 2010 in our crawlspace "cellar" - time to start drinking them!) And we thank Matthieu and Bernard for their beautiful farming and winemaking that produces such soulful and delicious wines! -David Lillie