May 3, 2024 - Excellent stuff; ripe, rich and juicy. Went well with Sicilian-style swordfish. More purple than red, this has a very regal appearance. Viscous and leggy, too. Gorgeous floral nose, and oodles of ripe fruit in the mouth. Not picking up a ton of bell pepper, but so what? I sure wish I could get my hands on more of this. 5-13-17-9: 94/100.
April 21, 2024 - This is my first tasting of the 2018 version of this cuvée. It’s still rather young, almost primary. Crunchy cranberries, tart raspberry and pungent sandalwood from attack to finish. Something herbal appearing by the finish along with a touch of licorice. While I know this is an earlier drinking wine in the Baudry line up, I recommend holding for a bit more. A thick coating of sediment from the bottom of the cork spreading out along the neck and deep into the shoulder of the bottle. 14.3% alc. With leftover grilled bone-in (beef) ribeyes. 04.21.24. Recommended.
April 11, 2024 - Yas. This wine is totally kicking it into gear. Crystalline dark fruits, wonderful mineral acidity, beautiful transition to herb-crusted savory meats. Tannins are beautifully integrated, alcohol is not noticeable.
November 28, 2023 - Two-hour decant: I don't have much experience with CF from the Loire, but I did not notice excessive funk or barnyard. This wine is enjoyable already but not at its peak yet, which might take something like 3-5 years by my humble guess.
September 17, 2023 - Rubied, crimson rim; sauvage nose, sweaty saddle; rounded tannins, lively black & red fruit; fresh feel to finish. Drinking well. With air this cleans up.
September 8, 2023 - Drinking very well. An expressive chinon with balanced fruit, veg, and herb.
August 2, 2023 - Screaming sour cherry and red currant on the nose. There is also nail polish or acrylic paint. Fresh leather, allspice, and anise. Wine barrel. Tart red currant on the palate. Bright acidity, medium tannin and body. Tree bark. Long finish.
8/18
April 15, 2023 - Primary obviously but not closed...which was a fear. This is a wine of the vintage. If only I can keep from drinking these, I'm sure they will be special with some age on them.
December 17, 2022 - Was very pleasantly surprised. They did a great job with the 2018 heat. May be the Loire cab franc of the vintage.
November 6, 2022 - A warning beforehand: the wine is far too young and probably needs a few more years to mature to its true greatness. If you are as impatient as I am and like to open a bottle right away, give it air, a lot of air. On the first day, the wine was still extremely closed and tart, but now on the second day it comes so slowly. The tannins have clearly retreated and let the fruit take over. This is very nice and full, but still very primary - the typical spiciness of Cabernet Franc is still in the background.
This is quite tasty, but more of a promise for the future.