Bernard Baudry’s flagship Chinon, from a single parcel of 60-year-old vines on clay-limestone slopes. While Les Grzeaux (also in our selection) shows elegance, La Croix Boisse delivers powerthis is Cabernet Franc built for aging. The clay soils here create wines of depth and structure rarely seen in the Loire. Fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged 18 months in barrel. Dark fruit, tobacco leaf, iron, and an almost Mdoc-like tannic architecture. Give it an hour in a decanter now, or cellar 10-15 years. This is serious wine for serious occasions.Old-vine Saint-Joseph from an artisan producer. 50-year vines, granite slopes. Violets, black olive, savory. Serve cool.