Loire cab franc – 2005 tasting great – Baudry, Puzelat, Breton extravaganza – WBW 44
Here’s a great lineup of red wines form Loire – three 2005s from Bernard Baudry and two vins de table (and thus, no vintage) wines from Puzelat. Hmm, sounds like a matchup from Wine Madness…So let’s throw in a Breton too to change things up…
First to the Baudry wines from Chinon: I tasted them first blind, in a lineup of Loire reds. The 2005 “domaine” (under $20; find this wine) is tight, concentrated and serious with a great balance of dark fruits, acidity and cab franc tannin. I poured it later to my NYU class where the reception was mixed but definitely favorable. It probably needs some cellar time…
The Baudry Les Grezeaux (find this wine) is another solid offering that, back in the blind tasting, had a great degree of seriousness and poise. But even better was the Le Clos Guillot (find this wine), a serious and age-worthy wine with great integration of the dark fruits, acidity, minerality and tannins.
The Puzelat “vin de table” wines (find these wines) are not allowed to state the vintage but they are probably 2006. They are easier drinking, with bright fruit and higher acidity and totally rewarding under $20 wines. Try with chevre.
The Catherine & Pierre Breton 2005 Chinon (find this wine) is also tasting great right now–so great, it’s one of those “there must be a hole in it because how else could it be empty so fast” kinda great.
The reason for these speed reviews today was at the suggestion of Garyvee, who holds the rotating chair for Wine Blogging Wednesday this month and picked the excellent theme. Since he is a video blogger, I’m not sure how he will do a customary round-up but you can always check the WBW site for the latest.
Also of note: Eric Asimov did his own Chinon shuffle recently.
On April 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 pm ,Joe wrote:
Hi Tyler – I had the 2004 Domaine and your notes were nearly identical (even the ‘mixed reception’ part, my wife was not a fan). Have you tasted the ’04 Les Grezeaux?
On April 3rd, 2008 at 7:50 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Hey Joe –
I haven’t tried the 04 at least as far as my scrupulous records tell me.
But if the 05s are any guide, I’d opt for the Clos Guillot…
Glad we tried the same producer for this WBW! But no snow shot for you! Does that mean the Montreal snow has finally melted?!?
On April 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 pm ,Joe wrote:
Hi Tyler. No ’05 Clos Guillot here yet – I will keep an eye out for it. The big melt is on, but we had a record year so it will take a while – I may have a few dirty snow shots left (but no time on weekdays to take them!).
On April 3rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm ,Wicker Parker wrote:
Last fall I showered a great deal of love on the ’03 Baudry Les Grezeaux — atypically of the vintage it was incredibly light, balanced, and low in alcohol — and even then showed a long life ahead of it. Great to hear that the ’05 has such poise; I don’t care what the dollar is like these days, I’m gonna track it down and cellar it for at least five years…
On April 4th, 2008 at 12:37 am ,John Skupny wrote:
Great selection and notes,
I have recently shared the ’05 Baudry Grezeaux a couple of times to illustrate exactly what a straight beam of Cabernet Franc character is in a wine. I drank all the yummy ’05 Baudry Les Granges when it came out late last summer. The Domaine is always a little more shy, traditional styling. I plan to sock away the ‘Guillot’ and the ‘La Croix Boissee’ for only special friends and occasions.
On April 4th, 2008 at 8:12 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Joe – Glad the snow is abating — spring flowers can’t be far behind!
Wicker Parker – speaking of snow, Chicago blew through the snow removal budget in record time this year I read! Need lots of Chinon to help make it through, I presume.
John – Thanks for stopping by! Glad that you have enjoyed the Baudry wines too. I’ll bet you have some great comparative cab franc tastings at your place! I haven’t seen the Croix Boissee but will look out for it. Cheers,