I will join the chorus and sing out praise for the FDP!
In a little restaurant not far from the highway yesterday:
Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves - Terres Chaudes 2018
I had a single glass of this with 7 hours braised lamb. The nose is ripe red berries and some florals. The palate is round, suave with ripe fruit, sufficient acidity, fine integrated tannins and barely a hint of chalkiness on the finish. It drinks well, easily but the key word here is ripe, sunny berries. Don’t go there for a classic Saumur-Champ with some green and savoury tones.
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I don’t recall having had a 2018 Loire cab franc that impressed.
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Just checked my notes and I agree 100%.
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Not a fan of this vintage either, except … [drum roll please] … Domaine Guion. Probably the cheapest wine I buy from any region. Probably as it tends to be on the lean side anyway, seems to do just fine in riper years.
And for the record, I’m not a fan of 2018 in any of the French regions that I buy - Loire CF, Rhone (North and South), Beaujolais or Bordeaux.
Shared a bottle of 07 raffault picasses on friday. Gorgeous nose of red fruit with masses of cedar and lead pencil. Palate was still precise and focused which was a surprise with red and black fruits and no green notes to speak of. A+ for the nose and a B- for the palate. Best bargain on the 67 Pall Mall list by miles.
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Will footnote: I’ve yet to try the Baudry big guns (Grezeaux and CB).
The Grezeaux is much riper than normal, I tucked them away. Have not tried the CB yet
I have one more bottle of this that it sounds like it’s a good time to open. I loved it young. Dittière has a very nice touch with his reds.
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Drinking yet another 2019 Baudry Le Domaine, it’s superb. It’s a fairly deep and rich wine but the pink grapefruit citrus notes are lip-smackingly good. Coarse and a bit rustic, this wine throws massive sediment. Clearly this wine is not filtered. And I think it receives minimal SO2. Crafted by a farmer, true STGT. Love this stuff. An easy 91 for all of $20. Ridiculous.
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The only Baudry I have tried is the Croix Boissée, of which there is a note from two years ago somewhere up thread. I really liked it - not OTT at all, it tasted just like any other riper vintage. I think “tucking them away” is spot on - I’ve only tried a few 2018s from my favourite producers, which all reminded me strongly of young 09s, so if they turn out as well I won’t be complaining. But anyone who doesn’t like 2009s will definitely not like 2018s!.
I actually liked the 2009 Croix Boissee, which almost stood toe-to-toe with Rougeard '09 Le Poyeux during a local comparo tasting about 2 years ago. However, the other Baudry 2009’s (no recent tasting experiences) had not endeared themselves to me.
I liked the 18 CB a lot when I tried it maybe a year ago. Besides 2009, any other vintages I should keep an eye out for that you can think of? Was 2015 more ripe too?
On the first page of the thread, I have put a list of vintages with my thoughts - I’m not a pro so of course a pinch or two of salt are needed. 2015 is a ripe one, a little less exuberant than 2018, 2010 is one to look out for too among older vintages if you like the riper style.
I’ve only tried the Croix Boissée from 2009 - and really liked it. I think the 2018 will turn out to be at least as good, possibly better.
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I also liked the 2018 CB. Sure it leans towards the fruit profile from a warmer vintage, but it is well balanced imo.
Actually haven’t had a (non faulty) CB i didn’t like yet.
I think it is more about the vintages you shouldn’t look for these days if you like the 2018. Even though vintages like 2016 and 2017 are less ripe, they are not exactly cold years, just really good vintages.
Since 2009 maybe pass on 2011, 2013 and 2014 (you really shouldn’t pass on 2014! But it is not a warm vintage)
I love everyone that passes on 2014, more for me. Best vintage in a very long time. I think 2011 and 2013 were challenging, but I’m actually more opposed to 2018. I’ll take lean over over-ripe any day of the eon.
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I know Robert. Was more for Max.
I loved both the 2011 and 2014(!), but also liked the 2018. My taste reaches broad 
Really happy i back filled CB 2014-2017 vintages back when you guys got me interested in Cabernet Franc. Amazing wine, cannot wait to taste some with 15+ years of age.
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My tastes are pretty broad too, i definitely want to try the 14!
Then just ignore 2013 and buy everything else
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