Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Loire Valley, France 2004

What’s in the bottle?

Pale gold color with green reflections.  A very intense and powerful nose of bruised apple, poached Anjou pear, white peach and orange zest.  Undertones of walnuts, honeycomb, hay and a slight Manzanilla Sherry like salty oxidativeness.  Highly mineral driven nose of wet river stones and sea mist.  The palate is medium plus bodied and unctuous.  There is no apparent evidence of oak aging.  The bracing acidity is what helped this wine age so well and is evident in the long, clean, crisp finish.

Knowledge: 

Savennieres (sa-veh-NYEHR) is made from 100% Chenin Blanc.  Although typically dry the wines can be made in four levels of sweetness; Sec (Dry), Demi-Sec (Half Dry), Moelleux and Doux (Sweet), so buyer beware when purchasing.  If you do not see any of these terms on the label assume it is dry.  These wines are built to last, so do not be afraid to pick up and older vintage such as this one.   If you have the choice look for the 2005 vintage, as it was an excellent growing season in the Loire Valley.

Service:

Serve slightly chilled to 50° in large tapered glasses.  The wine will show more complexity as it warms up.  This is a hearty white that you can drink in the fall and winter.

What to eat?

Perfect wine for hard-pressed sheep’s milk cheeses like Manchego.  The great acidity of the wine will handle the bite associated with sheep’s milk cheeses.  Let your cheeses come up to room temperature before you dive in. (If you can wait)

Retail Price: $23.99
Found it @:

Smithtown  Wines & Spirits
67 Route 111
Smithtown, NY 11787
(631)265-1121

For the Geeks like Me: Although Domaine des Baumard is not located in the two Grand Cru’s of Savennieres (La Roche aux Moines, and Coulee des Serrant), it is considered by many to be a top reference point producer from the AOP.  His top wines come from the two lieux-dits of Le Clos du Papillon and Le Clos Saint Yves.  Florent Baumard has taken the reigns from his father Jean Beaumard and his most notable influence is that beginning with the 2003 vintage, all wines are closed with Stelvin screwcaps.