2016 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon, France, Loire, Wine Review

I used to drink a lot of this but somehow it fell off my radar. Tasting this, I am reminded how good it is. Made from Chenin Blanc grapes. Pale, silvery gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is expressive with flint, some chalk, some green apples and a bit or orange rind. Full bodied. Lovely texture. Great acidity. On the palate, the chalk and green apples come thru along with some herbal notes. Clean. Persistent finish with some heat. This is delicious on its own and will work well with lighter foods. An interesting match would be chicken salad.

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Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$40.00USD

Vouvray: A Chenin Blanc for the Ages

Among Americans, the Loire Valley is most often associated with gardens and castles and not much else. We journey the 150 kilometers southwest from Paris and take a day or two visiting Chateau de Chambord and Chenonceau, all the while enjoying the delightful flora and thinking of bygone days when princes and noblemen still roamed the cavernous halls in this ancient land. But the French know better. They know what we foreigners are just beginning to discover—that some of the most interesting, delicious, and affordable wines in the world hail from the chalky soil on which those famous castles stand.

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2002 Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon Carte d'Or, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2002

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This is a dessert wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape. At age 17, this is doing great. Chenin is one of the longest lived wine grapes out there. Golden in color. The nose is great with sea air, orange peel, crushed shells and honey. Medium bodied. This is sweet, not cloying or even very sweet but more than off dry. There is also a bitter note on the finish which complements the sweetness nicely. In between, some citrus and lots of minerality. Nice acidity. This would work with citrus based desserts well or in a small glass on its own. No hurry, this has at least a decade left i

2005 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

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Current Price:

$80.00USD

This sweet Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France so no signs of ageing at all. Light yellow/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose has pears, honey, white peaches, with a bit of crushed shells and salinity. Full bodied. Slightly viscous. On the palate, this is sweet but just a bit, certainly not cloying. Good acidity. The honey, peaches and and minerality come thru. A very long finish. This wine is deep and stops the drinker in his or her tracks. It drinks great on its own and might be harder to match with food. A not too sweet shortbread cookie or a soft goat cheese wo

2002 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2002

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Current Price:

$110.00USD

We drank thru a case of this wine and this was the last bottle. Ten were superb, one was off and one was corked which was about par for the course back in the day with sweet Loire white wines. This was also superb, and if you have any, no hurry on them. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with orange peel, apricots, sea air, canned peach syrup. Full bodied. Slightly sweet. On the palate, canned peach syrup, oranges, and slight caramel note. Long finish. Great on its own, this will work well with not too sweet (and no chocolate) desserts. Drink up over the next fiv

2005 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

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Current Price:

$60.00USD

What a beautiful wine. At age 15, this has settled into a nice sweet spot. Sealed with a screw cap. Golden in color, but too dark. The nose is big with dried honey, pears, orange peel and salinity. Full bodied and slightly viscous. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Delicious with great minerality. Oranges and honey over minerals. Still showing youthful with lots of verve. Long finish. This should easily go another fifteen to twenty years. It works great on its own and will work with less sweet or fruit based desserts (especially pears or oranges).

2016 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon, France, Loire, Wine Review

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