2017 Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée (750ml)

"Established in 1975, Bernard Baudry is a relatively young winery in Chinon terms. Son, Matthieu Baudry, joined in 2001. Today, they own 32 hectares across the appellation from valley floor to slopes and plateau. This being Chinon, production is 90% Cabernet Franc with a splash of Chenin Blanc thrown in. The estate has officially been practicing organics since 2006, although Bernard Baudry didn’t previously use any herbicides, so it was not a revolutionary move. The entire wine range displays tender loving care and a light touch: the fruit shows excellent purity. Working with a single variety and no new oak, the site is transparent whether it’s the limestone-based Clos Guillot, which provides a powerful, chalky-textured structure and a long, fine line of acidity, or Les Grézeaux with its shy yet smoky character, fluid texture and gravelly tannins sitting on the front of your tongue." - Rebecca Gibb MW (Vinous)

One of Baudry's top cuvees, the Chinon Rouge La Croix Boissée comes from vines from a small 2.5 ha plot on a hillside with full southern exposure. Soils are clay, sand and Limestone. Fermentation lasts 20 days in wood tank then aged 24 months in 1 to 3 years old barrels. 

"La Croix Boissée is a vineyard that slopes up from the valley floor to the Chinon plateau close to Baudry's domaine. The result in the 2017 Chinon is a mid-weight, elegant style offering dried herbs and smoked bacon – it's a hint reduction that needs air. The finish is much more powerful than anticipated; there's no shortage of tannins here, but they have the finest of powdery textures, making you lick the inside of your mouth (that's the limestone of Croix Boissée that you see year after year). The lengthy finish is infused with spices – expect a hint of herbs, tea leaf and smoke." 95 points - Rebecca Gibb MW (Vinous, August 2021)