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2020 Chinon
Bernard Baudry


Baudry’s cellar
Since Bernard Baudry launched his domaine in 1975, the name has been synonymous with classic, terroir-driven Chinon. Bernard has since increased the domaine’s holdings to thirty hectares and passed the torch to his son Matthieu, but the philosophy has not changed: organic viticulture and native yeast fermentations remain the norm, with each cuvée showcasing the diversity of soils that give rise to distinctive expressions of the Cabernet Franc grape.
The “Domaine” bottling is a blend of fruit from gravel and clay soils, giving a highly representative snapshot of the Chinon appellation. It is fresh and buoyant enough for casual fare yet has the stuffing to accompany heartier dishes, while its vivid raspberry fruit makes it extremely approachable today, notwithstanding its medium-term aging potential. A versatile wine with excellent typicity, this red represents a perfect introduction to the Baudry estate, to the wines of Chinon, and to Cabernet Franc in general.
—Anthony Lynch
PJ Blandori's Pick
Feels like we're in Paris when drinking this expression of Cabernet Franc. With the changing seasons ahead, cozy up to this peppery red and all your favorite fall meals.
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Chinon |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Bernard Baudry |
Winemaker: | Matthieu & Bernard Baudry |
Vineyard: | 30 years |
Soil: | Gravel, Clay, Silica |
Aging: | Aged in cement and wood cuves for respectively nine and twelve months |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

2021 Chinon “Beaux Monts”
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Sourced from the village of Beaumont, located within the Chinon AOC, it is utterly delicious, with a perfect balance of fruit and earth.

2019 Saumur Blanc “L’Insolite”
France | Loire
This blanc is chiseled and electric and boasts notes of citrus, herbs, and stones that would beautifully complement pan-fried sea bass or shrimp tacos.

2022 Chinon “Les Petites Roches” Blanc
France | Loire
A delightfully lean and bright blanc from Charles Joguet that leaves me yearning to exclaim, “This smells like a green apple picked fresh from a lemon tree!”

2022 Chinon Blanc
France | Loire
A rare Chenin Blanc from the land of Cabernet Franc. Ultra fresh and brimming with citrus blossom and orchard fruit notes, it has a saline, mineral finish that leaves my palate simultaneously satisfied and begging for more. Try it with fresh trout, grilled whole topped with chimichurri or smoked and tossed into a Niçoise salad.

2020 Saumur-Champigny “Franc de Pied”
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This Saumur Champigny is electric and alive, from the first scent of roses on the nose to the juxtaposition of textured tannic grip and sheer weightlessness on the palate.

2020 Chinon “La Croix Boissée”
France | Loire
This is the grandest bottling of Cabernet Franc from one of Chinon’s most outstanding producers.

2022 Grolleau “Franc de Pied”
France | Loire
Brambly berries and lifted floral notes combine with an earthy coolness and touch of spice in this red whose low alcohol level makes it even easier to fervently slurp down.

2022 Chinon Rosé
France | Loire
Matthieu Baudry captures both youthful fruit and energizing mineral textures with this rosé.

2020 Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”
France | Loire
Even though all of the wines hail from Chinon, the soil, elevation, and exposition all combine to make Le Clos Guillot their cuvée with the most finesse.

2021 Chinon “Les Grézeaux”
France | Loire
A textbook Chinon like this merits simple, rustic cuisine such as roast game, baked potatoes, and sautéed porcini mushrooms.
About The Producer
Bernard Baudry
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
More from Loire or France
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2020 Saumur-Champigny “Franc de Pied”
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2022 Coteaux du Loir Rouge “Cuvée du Rosier”
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2018 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Gorges”
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2020 Saumur-Champigny “Franc de Pied”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2019 Bourgueil “Clos Sénéchal”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2021 Sancerre “Racines”
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2022 Coteaux du Loir Rouge “Cuvée du Rosier”
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2022 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
Champalou France | Loire
2022 Quincy “Vieilles Vignes”
Domaine Trotereau France | Loire
2018 Vouvray “La Moelleuse”
Champalou France | Loire
2021 Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil “Irène”
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2019 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
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2021 Bourgueil Clairet “Avis de Vin Fort”
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
You don’t have to be rich to cellar a great wine.