WTN: Croixroads

[David M. Bueker]

2010 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (10/28/2020)
Two years since my last bottle, and with two+ hours of air, this is more than impressive. It’s right there with 2010 Rougeard Poyeaux as the best pure Cabernet Franc I have ever tasted. When this wine was released it was a beast. Now it’s sculpted, as from red marble. The aromatics are precise, and totally Cab Franc. The tobacco and earthy red fruit blend with the beginnings of leather and a hint of bitter chocolate. There’s still a bit of drying tannin on the finish, so I think further cellaring is a good idea. That said, it’s well worth drinking a bottle, and scaling the heights of Cabernet Franc.

It’s right there with 2010 Rougeard Poyeaux as the best pure Cabernet Franc I have ever tasted..

I'm assuming you've tasted Bourg, so this means you prefer the Poyeaux expression? When it comes to the price differential, I don't think Bourg is that much more impressive. But I also don't think Poyeaux justifies its current market price!

I've always preferred the Chinon expression and enjoy CB more than the Rougeard wines. But that doesn't mean I think they're 'better'.

[David M. Bueker]

I have only had Bourg once. It sailed beyond price reason so long ago. My last taste of Poyeaux (that 2010) was in 2015 at a restaurant in Milwaukee that had it for barely over retail. I pounced. It was stunning.

I have a bit of Rougeard Clos, and really think I should just sell it, as I get little joy from it. Might have to pull a Marie Kondo.

I have a bit of Rougeard Clos, and really think I should just sell it, as I get little joy from it. Might have to pull a Marie Kondo.

Yes. Poyeaux and Bourg are priced crazily, but at least they were supposed to be high-level wines. Clos is the basic wine and now I see it sells for as much as $200!

[David M. Bueker]

Clos is maybe worth $50 if you can be charitable.

Wondering if there are any entry-level Baudry selections that are recommended. For the frugal soul.

Enjoy Loire Cab Francs, Chenins, PNs. Muscadet...meh. Could be that I'm not giving that one a fair chance. Tasted during a class and bought a single bottle for at home...meh.

[David M. Bueker]

Wondering if there are any entry-level Baudry selections that are recommended. For the frugal soul.

Enjoy Loire Cab Francs, Chenins, PNs. Muscadet...meh. Could be that I'm not giving that one a fair chance. Tasted during a class and bought a single bottle for at home...meh.

Yes there are. every bottling from Baudry is recommended. The basic 'Les Granges' wine can still be had for around $20. The 'Le Domaine" is about $24.

It's certainly possible that the wine might not be up your alley, but you can test that theory without breaking the bank.

I had the 2010 a couple of months ago. Over a period of a few days, I had the Certan de May 2008 and the Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2000 and it held very well against them. For me, it was better, actually.