The Soul of Chinon: Discover the Wines of Domaine Bernard Baudry

If ever there were a winemaker who captures the soul of place in a bottle, it is Bernard Baudry. Nestled in the heart of France’s Loire Valley, this domaine has quietly become a benchmark for terroir-driven Cabernet Franc—wines that speak fluently of soil, vine, and meticulous care.

At Baudry, the land is everything. Across their vineyards, a tapestry of soil types—gravel, clay, limestone, sand—gives rise to a stunning range of expressions from a single grape: Cabernet Franc. Each cuvée is a study in nuance, a reflection of how deeply a vine can connect with the earth when nurtured the right way.

“We have never used herbicides,” says Matthieu Baudry, who now co-leads the domaine with his father. “Herbicides are the enemy of terroir expression.” Instead, the soils are ploughed, the vines are worked organically, and nature is given room to breathe. This isn’t winemaking by formula—it’s a conversation with the land, guided by decades of experience and a refusal to compromise.

Vinous Media perhaps says it best: “While they are sometimes labelled traditionalists, I find them to be more naturalists… theirs is a style that I admire, they make Cabernet Franc taste as suave and succulent as Pinot Noir.”

Two Captivating Bottles, One Singular Vision

2022 Domaine Bernard Baudry - Chinon “Les Grézeaux”

Price: $49.95 (6-pack or 12-pack available)

From 60-year-old vines rooted in gravelly alluvial soils near the Vienne River, Les Grézeaux is both elegant and powerful. This is a Chinon of quiet depth—dark berries, forest floor, and a stony minerality merge into a silky texture that feels almost weightless. The tannins are perfectly integrated, the acidity fresh but soft-spoken. It's drinking beautifully now, but its structure promises at least 10–15 years of graceful aging. A natural pairing for lentil and mushroom shepherd’s pie or simple roast chicken.

2023 Domaine Bernard Baudry - Chinon “Le Domaine”

Price: $37.95 (6-pack or 12-pack available)

This cuvée is pure Cabernet Franc charm. Vines aged 30–35 years lend depth, while fermentation and aging in concrete and oak vats preserve freshness and energy. The wine is vibrant with notes of dark cherry, cassis, floral lift, and a hint of graphite and tobacco. Tightly woven but generous, Le Domaine has the signature taffeta texture and pencil-shaving nuance that Cabernet Franc lovers chase. This is a wine to enjoy now for its youthful vibrance or cellar for added complexity.