Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Grezeaux 2019

The very definition of Cabernet Franc, perhaps with a little blurring of the edges. Cassis and bramble fruit, with a touch of cocoa and kirsch, violet and lavender wood. Focused, sleek and linear, the domain’s trademark. Architectural and sculptured, with a lovely mid-palate stuffing and driving intensity. Not a hair out of place. Claret-esque. Waters Wine Co

An iconic vineyard for the domaine, situated opposite Bernard’s house, with soils of gravel and sandy clay. This vintage has been aged in cement cuve where it will rest for fifteen months; the cuvée has not seen a barrel since the 2007 vintage. A gorgeous black-violet hue in the glass, the noses shimmers with a dark, pure and focused intensity, with scents of violet, peony, black cherry and currant. Texturally silky, fresh and pure on the palate, it maintains a supple style through the middle, with great energy and vivacity. This is just so complete, polished and stylish – could you ask for more in a wine? Definitely one for the (by which I mean my) cellar. 93-95 points, Chris Kissack, The Wine Doctor

Organic. Les Grézeaux is drawn from the Estate’s oldest vines, aged between 40 and 60 years, planted on a gravely terroir over limestone and clay on the Sonnay plateau above Cravant (in front of the Baudry cellar). Matthieu Baudry notes that it is a parcel that performs best in warm, dry vintages, and so, this is only made in such years (no Grézeaux was made in 2013, for example). Harvesting is by hand and fermentation takes place in cement vats for three to four weeks. It is then matured in large, five-year-old cask for 15 months before being bottled unfiltered. Importer’s notes

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