Bernard Baudry

Bernard Baudry is unquestionably one of Chinon’s most outstanding producers. Not only does he have the talent to make delicious and consistent wines, vintage to vintage, but he is also fortunate enough to have vineyard land that showcases many of the varied soil types of the appellation.
The Baudrys work vineyards composed of gravel, sand, limestone, silica, and clay. The variations of terroir and vinification methods make each of their cuvées unique and distinct. Bernard and Matthieu focus the lion’s share of their production on Chinon Rouge, five fine cuvées of Cabernet Franc, all aged in old and new barrels in their incredible cellars chiseled out of tuffeau behind the winery. Baudrys are staunch traditionalists, and you would have a hard time finding a Chinon more classic than theirs. KERMIT LYNCH

With his wire-rim glasses, moustache and quirky smile, Bernard Baudry looks as if he might teach biology at the local high school. Although a relative newcomer to the region, he instead quickly established himself as one of Chinon’s outstanding producers. From the first two hectares that he purchased in 1975, his estate has now grown to 25. Since 2000, he has been assisted by his son Matthieu. Based in Cravant-les-Coteaux in the heart of one of Chinon’s privileged viticultural hamlets, they are fortunate to have not only five excellent sites but also an incredible cellar chiseled out of the tuffeau behind the winery. While they are sometimes labeled traditionalists, I find them to be more naturalists. Everything here is organic, harvested by hand and bottled without fining or filtration. In any case, theirs is a style that I admire: they make cabernet franc taste as suave and succulent as pinot noir. JOEL B PAYNE, Vinous