TN: 2005 Baudry Chinon Les Grezeaux, Loire Valley.

First of 3 bottles. $28 Cdn, cellared 4 yrs, 13.5% alc. Good natural cork, some sediment, have read great things about this wine on various sites. Decanted for one hour and tasted over 2 day period.

Color is a medium ruby with light bricking on the rim.
Nose really appeals...cassis, hint of earthy undergrowth, no brett thankfully. "green olives..very berryish" from across the table.
Initial entry thoughts were dry, very Cab Franc-ish, long finish, berries, integrated tannins. Wine had a v good grip, excellent fruit balance..blackberry, loganberry. Nice acidity, pleasing aftertaste (some fruit ripeness). "Bell pepper' from fellow taster. Held up very well over night, noted lead pencil but did not find this wine fully ripe. Simple food fare...pan-fried hamburger with onions and mushrooms.
Could be one of my WOTYs.

[David M. Bueker]

Excellent Bob!

You trumped me there. I did not start with Baudry until 2007.

Some people consider that any presence of "bell pepper" is a fault. Not me if in moderation. Indeed in a ripe year like 2005 it can add a lot of interest. I take the same view of a mild dose of brett but accept that it can develop with time to unacceptably dominant levels.

Not for me either Tim!