Bernard Baudry La Croix Boissee Rouge 2021

Bernard Baudry farms in Chinon, in the Loire Valley, where Cabernet Franc is the red grape and the parcel of soil decides the style. La Croix Boissée comes from highly calcareous ground, sandy clays sitting on the white tuffeau limestone that runs beneath the region. Chalk-rich soils of this kind give Cabernet Franc more body and firmer tannins than the lighter gravel sites, and the south-facing aspect gives the vines full sun exposure to ripen the fruit completely. The vines range from 15 to 40 years old and are picked by hand, with the estate farmed biodynamically. Fermentation uses the fruit of the site, and the wine is aged in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and integrates the fruit. The result is a Chinon with structure built to age. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows redcurrant, raspberry and plum, with a twist of bitter orange, tobacco and the graphite, savoury earthiness typical of tuffeau. The palate is medium to full bodied, with marked but fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant a young vintage. It pairs with roast meats and game.