That’s my understanding. Here’s what I tasted at the winery in June 2019 (all reds):
2018 Domaine
2017 Domaine
2018 Les Granges
2017 Les Grezeaux
2006 Les Grezeaux (not a typo )
2016 Le Clos Guillot
2016 La Croix Boissee
2015 La Croix Boissee
Popped the 2005 Les Grezeaux this week, and while I enjoyed it, it was not at the level of the 2010, which sorta surprised me. I expected that more time and the 2005 vintage, it would be comparable or better. While I appreciated the power and dark profile of this Chinon, from an admittedly big vintage, it also had a dryness to it that causes me concern over whether the tannins outlive the fruit. If you have some, give it a try to see if it accelerates your drinking window on this wine.
So 2005 as a vintage in France continues to confound me at times. We have all been lead to believe from most of the critics that this vintage is the sh*t - one of the best vintages of the last few decades - but in my experience, there are both winners and losers. The alcohol is high and the tannins are coarse, on many wines. And of course, many still require considerable time.
It is indeed a very pretty, clean and engaging Chinon. It’d also improve with more age IMHO. Took at least 3 hours to begin to unwind and release its layers of interest. I loved this in 2014 at the Chambers/Dressner tasting and bought a handful. Just about as elegant and balanced as Loire Cab Franc gets.
Older thread, but drinking a bottle now. A “wow” value for me. ($22 pretax from WDC using codes). Was expecting this to be full of blackberry/blueberry/pomegranate based on some notes that this wine is showing the heat of the vintage - but wanted to take a chance anyways. Not the case for me, at least based on this bottle. Full on tart red cherry juice on the palate with a touch of celery stalk and dry tobacco. Lacks some of the classic ashy Chinon texture, but instead has an almost electric acidity profile layered with that uber fresh, pure tart cherry that gives it incredible verve. When served cooler, it shows a layer of horse blanket and just a touch of pyrazine/green bell pepper on the nose. A good core of black cherry shows with time, but transitions back to the tart cherry in the mid palate. Really lovely stuff. Primary at the moment, but I think there’s just a lot here.
No idea where this will go in time, but I imagine it could be quite impressive in a few years time.
2019 Baudry “Les Grezeaux” - not the standard Chinon bottling. I used the WDC $20 off $50 coupon and was able to pair the Baudry with a Beaujolais to make the effective price $22. Worth every bit of $30+ though.
Cannot speak to Chinon and am not opening any of my 2005 Bordeauxs yet, but lower level 2005 Burgundies are starting to get really good. Have enjoyed over the last couple of months 2005 Rossignol-Trapet GC, Bouchard Beaune du Chateau, Truchot Morey St. Denis (quite young but still really good), Chapelle Santenay Gravières and Pavelot Savigny-lès-Beaune.
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