Bernard Baudry ‘Le Domaine’ Chinon Cabernet Franc - Loire Valley, France
Classic, savoury and beautifully balanced, ‘Le Domaine’ sits at the heart of the Baudry range: more structured than the easygoing ‘Les Granges,’ but less brooding than the single-site cuvées. It opens with red cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant, layered with violet, graphite, dried herbs and that unmistakable Chinon earthiness. The palate is medium-bodied and finely shaped, with fresh acidity, supple but present tannins and a mineral thread that gives the wine both lift and seriousness. It feels honest, expressive and deeply drinkable - Cabernet Franc with just enough grip to belong at the table, but enough charm to enjoy without ceremony.
Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, ‘Le Domaine’ comes from a blend of Baudry’s terroirs: roughly 70% sandy plateau over limestone and 30% gravel, with vines averaging 30–35 years old. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermented for around two weeks in cement vats, then aged for fifteen months in unlined cement or oak vats before bottling two springs after harvest, without filtration. That combination of limestone structure, gravelly freshness and gentle élevage gives the wine its classic balance of fruit, savoury depth and clean mineral definition.
Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
Style: Red – Medium-bodied, savoury, mineral-driven
Drink Window: Now – 8+ years
Perfect For: Roast chicken, pork, duck, mushroom dishes, charcuterie
A benchmark everyday Chinon from one of the Loire’s great Cabernet Franc producers - fresh, earthy and quietly serious, with all the charm of a proper bistro red.
