Summer Reds: a Classy $16 Chinon

2010 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon "Les Granges" (France, Loire Valley, Chinon)

This bottle of cabernet franc is a great summer red, offering lots of fruit and freshness, which makes it easy to drink. At the same time, it's quite a complex wine, showing trademark Chinon qualities.

Gorgeous medium-purple color in the glass. Upon first sniff, it’s evident we’re dealing with cabernet franc: lovely tobacco and black olive aromas. But there are also some currants and black cherry aromas, as well as a hint of sweet maple.

This is a medium-bodied wine with fine tannins and tangy acid. Sour cherries and currant fruit lead the way to white pepper, tobacco and hints of smoke. I love the tanginess of this wine. The fruit and acid are so fresh that it reminds me of biting into fresh cranberries. Solid finish. Overall, this is one delicious cabernet franc. And, at the price, I really can’t help but love this.

After an hour, the aromas smoothed out and became more elegant and floral. The fruit became richer and more expressive. I imagine this wine would gain complexity for at least three years.
Wine Library is selling this wine for $16, which is a real steal.

88 points IJB