First off, I’d better say that Michelle and I have had minimal exposure to Loire wines. We were there for a few days last fall, and at the time were focusing more on the chateaux than the wine, aside from an impromptu visit to Domaine Huet (got to meet Noel Pinguet and Anthony Hwang, but didn’t realize until after the fact who we were talking to, on the first day of harvest no less!) . So after reading the many threads lately about Loire cab franc, I ordered a few bottles to see what the fuss is about.
Last night we had the '09 Bernard Baudry Chinon “Les Grezeaux” with grilled flat iron steak. There was minimal nose, even after a couple of hours of air. Palate was acidic with smooth tannin. Some darker red fruit, noticeable minerality, a little streak of traditional green pepper, and a fair amount of cigar box. Very short finish. My overall thought was that it seemed like a slightly lean lower-level Bordeaux. Didn’t detect anything musty or cardboardy to suggest TCA, but I tend to not be very sensitive to that, I think. Overall, it went fine with the meal, and for $23 you can do a lot worse, but I guess I was expecting something more based on the hype. It’s not like I was expecting a Shiraz fruit bomb or anything, but I’m still a bit at a loss. Did I miss something here, or am I just finding that red Loire isn’t to my taste yet?
Anyway, my “'09 Loire sample pack” still contains another of these and a pair of “Croix Boissee”, as well as some Guion Bourgueil “Prestige”, an Amirault “Malgagnes”, and an '07 Clos Rougeard. Am I in for more of the same? Should I wait a few years to try the others? Or what?