Le Domaine Chinon Cabernet Franc

Blackcurrant leaf, mousy characters, mint leaf, gin tonic, tomato leaf, forest floor, mushroom, lavender ash, rosemary, crushed bay leaves, Brett/game/animal/leather, steely metal minerality. 13%

Red flowers, allspice, sweet red berries, red currants, red currant flowers, juicy red cherry, vanilla beans (went away after 1 hour), tobacco, ash, very spicy. Grippy high tannins.

Just lovely. Great acid lift with accompanying green apple, honey and grassy note. Nice tart finish.

Cliff notes: Baudry rocks, kiss my ass.

Full review: 2021 was a notoriously difficult year in the Loire and this reflects that. This is delicious as a chilled red, charcuterie, wine, etc. It’s super light and peppy and delicious. Drinks like water with some cab franc in it. Light powdery tannins. But don’t come here looking for concentration.

If you’re looking for the perfect house wine, you can thank me. Wild and free, this is such a classic Chinon that hits every single one of the notes.

Herbs, herbs, and more herbs on the nose to start with. That beautiful barnyard we all know and love. Celery and green bell pepper for days, just so nice. Wet dirt with blue and black berries and the faintest hint of leather.

Very very young and still a bit primary, this has good bones and is still ready to love you now. Needs decanting but after some time and air it shows well. Fresh and alive on the palate, this sings a lovely song. Blueberries and strawberry jam. A little olive tapenade, more mushrooms, and black pepper. This is my kind of wine, my kind of Chinon.

#2 rank in a blind tasting. Luscious feel. More pyrezenes with air. Called right bank bdx.

<$30 desert island wine

Very nice, dryer than usual for Cab Franc

May be the ultimate bistro wine. 13%. Extreme freshness; goes down like water, but has enough going on to pair perfectly with a spicy pasta bolognese. Baudry doesn’t really miss.

Love this wine. Dark cherry spicy funky. Good ripeness and concentration in 2020. Pairs with everything. Roasted chicken, pizza, steak, turducken,