Bernard Baudry, who established his Chinon estate in the early 1980s after studying at the Lycée de Beaune, quickly earned a reputation for precise, textured Cabernet Franc; today, his son Matthieu, who has worked alongside him since 2000, leads the 32-hectare domaine while Bernard remains a guiding presence. Their deep interest in Chinon’s varied terroirs drives a diverse lineup: “Les Granges,” from 25-year-old vines on alluvial gravel by the Vienne river, offers supple, smoky cherry fruit for early drinking; “Cuvée Domaine,” from older vines on gravel and clay, shows greater depth and structure; “Les Grézeaux,” from 40-year-old vines on gravel over limestone and clay, is fermented and aged in large concrete vats; “Clos Guillot,” replanted in 1995 on a historic hillside site, ferments in concrete and ages in barrel; and “Croix Boisée,” the estate’s de facto grand cru on south-facing clay-limestone slopes, yields powerful, barrel-aged Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. Small-production Chinon Blanc and rosé complete the range and are highly sought after.
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