TN: 2019 Bernard Baudry Les Grézeaux

[Jonathan_Loesberg]

No, Parker always had a taste for brett, whatever other flaws he might have had. Not liking brett is 1)a taste preference and 2)an outgrowth of the fact that it can be construed, technically, as a flaw. I also expect that many brett afficionados are like me: a little barnyard is OK, but band aid is another thing. I expect that there are plenty of AFWE people who are brett intolerant and plenty who are not.

[Peter_Valiquette]

Modern Bordeaux with its over extraction, bitter oak, and heavy filtration will naturally shift interest northward to the Loire.

[Robert.A.Jr]

Modern Bordeaux with its over extraction, bitter oak, and heavy filtration will naturally shift interest northward to the Loire.

Smart money has been doing that for 20 years! If you need that Cab Franc or classic right bank fix, this is it for sure! The only St Emilions I own are Magdelaine, and then a few Ausone. I have some Tertre Rotebeauf but I’m loathe to admit that here! Something about those wines…

[Robert.A.Jr]

I love this. Cabernet Franc in all its glory (or conscious lack thereof). There’s a beautiful line of dark sauvage character that runs through it; impossibly dark red fruit that stains the glass, blackberry, iron, leather, an almost Syrah-like savouriness with a bit of pepper and brine. A green streak, yes, but perfectly placed in the prism of expressive elements that this wine possesses. The palate is vibrant, lithe and energetic, with lingering mouthcoating tannins that make for a structure to match the intensity of the nose. I love it now, but it’s more than capable of unfolding in the cellar. Outrageous complexity and layering for a wine at this price point. This just feels so honest, so direct, and such a pure and clear statement of purpose that I cannot do anything except marvel at how delicious it is and be happy that I’ve got a couple more bottles.

Three glasses into the 2019 right now.

Your note nailed it. I’m not even gonna try to write something, my clumsy prose would fail by comparison. This is Chinon. I have always said, Grezeaux is archetype. One can posit that Croix Boissee is better, Guillot is more round and full, but Greazeaux is textbook.

An utterly stupid value at $25.

[MikeL238]

Has La Croix Boissee reached the US yet?

[LasseK1]

Has La Croix Boissee reached the US yet?

I have not seen 2019 Croix Boissée in Europe yet…

[Chris_Kissack]

I’m already seeing a northwards move in prices in the Loire, not to the extent or levels seen elsewhere, but the landscape is changing. The most striking sign of this was a recent series of visits along the Layon where the top Anjou Blanc cuvées were offered for sale at the domaine for 45-85 Euros per bottle. And these were all newly established/newly taken-over domaines, not well-known names. I wonder if the strategy taken by Ivan Massonnat at Belargus has given them the courage they needed to charge those prices.

Of course, some of my favourite Chinons still go for 12 Euros, so I won’t go thirsty just yet.

[LasseK1]

I’m already seeing a northwards move in prices in the Loire, not to the extent or levels seen elsewhere, but the landscape is changing. The most striking sign of this was a recent series of visits along the Layon where the top Anjou Blanc cuvées were offered for sale at the domaine for 45-85 Euros per bottle. And these were all newly established/newly taken-over domaines, not well-known names. I wonder if the strategy taken by Ivan Massonnat at Belargus has given them the courage they needed to charge those prices.

Of course, some of my favourite Chinons still go for 12 Euros, so I won’t go thirsty just yet.

There certainly has been a price jump among some producers of Chenin like Boudignon, Collier, Guiberteau among others…

[Sean_S_y_d_n_e_y]

double post

[Sean_S_y_d_n_e_y]

Three glasses into the 2019 right now.

Your note nailed it. I’m not even gonna try to write something, my clumsy prose would fail by comparison. This is Chinon. I have always said, Grezeaux is archetype. One can posit that Croix Boissee is better, Guillot is more round and full, but Greazeaux is textbook.

An utterly stupid value at $25.

You’re very kind! Your evangelism for these wines helped me discover them in the first place so I consider it more than a fair trade.

[Chris_Seiber]

I love Grezeaux from most vintages and own many bottles in my cellar.

To be honest, this is one of the only ones I haven’t loved. Not that the quality is poor or that the wine is flawed, but I normally am thrilled by the pure fresh, cool, purple berry fruit at the front end of these wines. At least this bottle at this age, this is kind of blackish, iron, black olive and salty in more of a Northern Rhone way. There is also less tobacco leaf and gravel character than I normally see.

I guess part of my reaction is being not that much of a Rhone and syrah fan in general, but also just that Rhone syrah isn’t really what I’m looking for when I open a Chinon.

This could totally just be a one-off reaction. Take it for what little it’s worth. And it’s a good quality wine with character, just not the character I like and am looking for.

I’ll put my other bottles away and revisit them down the road. This does seem to have plenty of stuffing for age.

[Chris_Seiber]

@Sean_S_y_d_n_e_y

There’s a beautiful line of dark sauvage character that runs through it; impossibly dark red fruit that stains the glass, blackberry, iron, leather, an almost Syrah-like savouriness with a bit of pepper and brine.

I think this (other than the blackberry) describes my sense of it pretty well.

@jcjouas

Wonderfully perfumed with black raspberry, blackberry, bell pepper and earthy tobacco scents that lead to a plush, crushed black raspberry with mineral and spice undertones that dance on the finish. 93

This, on the other hand, is what I was hoping to find and did not.

[IlkkaL]

@LasseK1

Has La Croix Boissee reached the US yet?

I have not seen 2019 Croix Boissée in Europe yet…

Probably you have by now, no? Just bought it from Les Passionnés, still dirt cheap but one bottle per customer

[Chris_Seiber]

I left a third in the bottle just recorked on the counter. I like it a little more today. A little of the purple berry is sneaking through. Still, it seems a bit atypical to my (yak-like) palate.

[Luca_Giupponi]

I had a similar experience yesterday and today, although I personally really like how it showed on both days.

[LasseK]

I found some 19’s now. But most of my Cabernet Franc budget goes to La Porte Saint Jean now. I just love that style a bit more

[Chris_Seiber]

What is the style?

[LasseK]

Lower alcohol (12,5% in 2015, 2019 and 2020…), slightly less pyrazines (light infusion) which makes the fruit stand out a bit more without losing its identity. The fruit is a little more red fruited. Higher more focused acidity. Can be very funky when just opened, but cleans up with air most of the time. No oak notes. Very expressive on the nose.

La Porte Saint Jean is using very low amounts of SO2 and would for many probably be put in the “natural wine” camp. But i never had a mousy og VA imbalanced bottle. And they seem to age well. I know early vintages still show great.

I still love Baudry and still buy a bit, but besides a 2014 La Croix Boissée, La Porte Saint Jean has just touched me a bit more.

[Robert.A.Jr]

@LasseK

La Porte Saint Jean

Interesting, I have not tried these. Just checked and cannot find any in the states, does anybody know who carries these?

[Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w]

@LasseK

La Porte Saint Jean

Golden Hour Wine in Orlando has the 2020. These are more expensive. Like mid $40s, Golden Hour is $51, but I’d try it for that premium instead of shipping. Seems Thatchers and Flatiron have it too.