1996 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Clos de Sainte Catherine

Community Tasting Notes (13) Avg Score: 90.6 points

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  12/28/2021 - AdrianBonilla Likes this wine: 92 Points

  My first time trying a Chenin from this region with this much age and I’ve got to say I’m not disappointed.
  
  Sight: medium amber
  
  Nose: i got apple cider, honey, apricot, and fig. It was moderate and far from overwhelming (I could smell this all day)
  
  Palate: botrytis at its finest; honey, marmalade, etc. but it wasn’t overtly sweet and had this very refreshing acidity that all made for a very balanced experience.
  
  Overall: this wine exceeded my expectations. It showed structure and an ability to age which made for a refreshing, and tame, dessert wine.

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  12/28/2021 - WyattTheSomm Likes this wine: 94 Points

  I think this wine deserves a higher score because it’s survived this long being a Coteaux Du Lyon albeit from a great producer/ vintage.
  
  1996 was a stellar vintage with a dry climate that resulted in very rich wines that clearly could go the distance the “Clos De Sainte Catherine” being the example.
  
  Sight: medium-amber color clearly very aged
  
  Nose: Apricot leaps from the glass with Orange marmalade fig and quince jam and that is a extremely accurate description. I actually had this along with a very good Tokaji and it wasn’t even close on the nose also wayyyyy less honey (but both had apricot) if any this is all beautiful oxidized fruit! I noticed on day two the little I had left Presented itself with some apples glazed in a balsamic and a nutty oxidized note also exhibiting more honey.
  
  Taste: this follows the nose very good had enough acidity to hold it up so it is beautifully balanced still with all that sugar. Rich full bodied overipe apricot and orange marmalade start with cooked fig/ quince jam mid palate and honeyed finish.
  
  Overall: This wine is great now don’t wait it’s definitely at its limit but held up to the next day which shows how strong 1996 is at 25 years old it’s impressive. This is a very good old chenin that gave me everything I was looking for concentration and balance. Enjoy !

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  7/10/2020 - englishman's claret wrote: 94 Points

  Gorgeously lively and fresh, that perfect embodiment of mature Chenin Blanc - just slightly overripe white peach and apricot with quince, bitter orange peel, and cream. Resonant palate marrying a lush, sweet body with zippy acidity. Lots of time in hand.

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  9/5/2016 - Mlermontov wrote: 92 Points

  Corey and Linda NYC lunch: sweet, orange marmalade and honey. makes me think of Tokaj, but with a bit more brightness. quite delicious and powerful. more apricot on the back.

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  4/25/2016 - CMN wrote:

  Moderately dark color. This was quite nice, with loads of bruised apple flavor with a bit more sweetness than I expected (not quite at an Auslese level of sweetness, but not far off). There was a bit of an off taste that made me think it might be a touch oxidized. Would have preferred a touch more acid, but that's a quibble. Seemed fresh for a 20 year old wine.

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