- N.V. Domaine des Baumard Crémant de Loire - France, Loire Valley, Crémant de Loire (1/9/2008)
The nose is rather attractive in its leafy and cassis notes that are married to a strawberried fruit. The palate is a bit too soft and despite some attractive mineral notes, it comes across as a little dull. - N.V. Domaine des Baumard Crémant de Loire Carte Turquoise - France, Loire Valley, Crémant de Loire (1/9/2008)
A very attractive, crisp bottle, with much grass/clover and flowers. Elegant mousse. Fruity but crisp and very refreshing and mineral. Charming. - 2004 Domaine des Baumard Crémant de Loire Tirage - France, Loire Valley, Crémant de Loire (1/9/2008)
It started out rather nutty and monolithic, but became more elegant with air. It isn't as personal in style as the basic NV bubbly but is still an attractive drink. The mousse isn't terribly elegant, as is a bit too frothy. Elegant fruit, much minerals, even quite a bit of tannins. Nice. - 2004 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos de Saint Yves - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (1/9/2008)
A wonderful nose: hay, funk/wool, earth, minerals and citrus. A tight, linear, precise palate, very mineral. The aftertaste grows in intensity. It may be a bit closed right now, but I love it anyway. - 2005 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos de Saint Yves - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (1/9/2008)
This was rather reductive and lactic upon opening. It opened up to show a mineral but very ripe style of Chenin, floral and honeyed. The palate was very full bodied, plump and even oily in texture, sweet and not as acidic as I hoped but still an attractive wine. - 2003 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Trie Spéciale - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (1/9/2008)
Lactic, sweet and honeyed nose. Thick, clunky, sweet palate - suffers from the '03-syndrome. It is drinkable, but I would rather have something else anyway. - 2004 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (1/9/2008)
The nose is arrestingly pure in its bright, focused, mineral aromatics. It has a bit of elegant funk, like good Chenin should. Bright, delineated, citrussy, ripe but dry and precise palate. Long, intense and mineral. It is a bit closed now, but I still find it wonderful stuff! - 2005 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (1/9/2008)
This is a very ripe style of Chenin, but it is still a pure expression of the grape. Mineral, fat but structured. Long, but fruit-forward, aftertaste. Very nice, if a bit on the ripe side. - 2004 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Cuvée Le Paon - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon (1/9/2008)
A very elegant sweetie, with a rather austere nose of green-pea, hay and lots of minerals. It is sweet but has great precision from the sufficient acidity. Incredible length. Very refreshing despite being sweet. Lovely. - 2005 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Cuvée Le Paon - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon (1/9/2008)
A nice wine with typical Chenin aromatics of green-pea, hay and citrus. All is well, except that it seems a bit too sweet for the structure. Nice anyway. - 2005 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Carte d'Or - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon (1/9/2008)
The nose isn't as obviously ripe as some other 2005s today (and therefore this is more to my taste), but rather shows a very pure style of Chenin. It is sweet and not terribly acidic, but is still well balanced. Moderate finish. Very attractive. - 2006 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume (1/9/2008)
Very young, but stunning! It is like a coiled up spring, waiting to burst with energy - a very exciting wine to drink! The pure and extremely mineral nose doesn't suggest sweetness on the palate. And, indeed, though obviously sweet, it is kept in check by acids and minerals. It is a deceptively light wine. Very elegant. Very good.