2007 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée
My exploration of the Chinons of Bernard Baudry continues with this Croix Boissee bottling. Compared to the Cuvee Domaine and Grezeaux bottlings, this is a whole different animal. Much more polished, more “bells and whistles” as Lyle Fass puts it. Deep red savoury fruit on the nose leads into a sappy sweetness on the palate (from time spent in barriques?). A real sense of extraction and flavor impact with this wine, although it avoids being over the top. The extraction really stains the palate and leaves a lasting finish. I think it’s this sense of elegant extraction and sweetness that really separates this from its brethren. None of the rustic cedary/tobacco flavors that are so prominent in the Franc de Pied and Grezeaux bottlings. The tannic structure is there but was really only noticeable on day two… it did provide just a touch of that Loire cab franc grittiness to remind the drinker of its origins. Drinking well now, but I think this still has some improvement to be had with time in the cellar. This is really a tremendous wine, certainly “better” than the Grezeaux and Cuvee Domaine bottlings, but for this drinker’s palate, the Grezeaux remains the favorite. Fortunately, with the pricing on these wines not being out of control, I’ll be able to stock the cellar with both.
I'd be curious to hear others thoughts on Baudry's lineup.....