WTN: Chinon

2002 Bernard Baudry Chinon "Les Grézeaux"
This opens slowly. At first it shows sour tobacco weedy and very resolved and mature. But, with air, it gains youthfulness and richness. Eventually, after a few hours, it is downright gorgeous. Such energy! Rich and ripe but salty and savory, pumping with easy-drinking life, but also a mineral spine that keeps it so poised and focused. The life in this wine is admirable. Pure joy and a perfect match with falafel balls, sauteed potatoes, artichoke hearts, chard, onions, garlic and a mustard parsley sauce.

2000 Joguet Chinon "Clos de la Dioterie"
Did not know what to expect. Grand vineyard but downtime chez Joguet. Or so they say. Anyway, on the one hand it is richer than the Grézeaux. But, it shows less volume, less life, and less energy. And definitely less precision. Plus more tobacco herbs. Maybe it just needs more time. There are some nice layers inside with cool stoney fruit, but on the outside the fuzzy tannins are not yet playing with the rest of the wine. Still, the elements were tasty enough for the evening and a pizza with trumpet mushrooms, olives, pecorino, and oregano.

Thanks. I drank my lone bottle of the Baudry too young. I don't have a lot of Joguet experience, but my impression re the down period was that it wasn't that the wines were bad, more they didn't justify the considerable premium over other Loire CF. Just an impression.

Thanks. I drank my lone bottle of the Baudry too young..

Guess it depends how you like them. Grezeaux may not have the stuffing of Croix Boissee, although it still "survives" for quite a while. But I thought this stage was perfect. Still so much energy. Although I have enjoyed some tertiary examples as well. Who knows.

Grezeaux ........ Rahsaan, I have the `05 on the kitchen table! Do you think I should hold on for a couple of years?

I have the `05 on the kitchen table! Do you think I should hold on for a couple of years?

Depends on your tastes, but you certainly wouldn't go wrong doing so. I think others have found it tannic recently, so, if you do decide to open it now, definitely give it some air.