Domaine des Baumard Clos de Sainte Catherine Coteaux du Layon 2005
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Robert
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Domaine des Baumard Clos de Sainte Catherine Coteaux du Layon is slightly richer than the Carte d'Or, as concentrated as Le Paon, but always more refined, always more feminine and always more precise.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2005 Coteaux du Layon Clos de Sainte Catherine both smells and tastes more obviously rich than its 2004 counterpart, with prominent characteristics of peaches in syrup, candied pineapple and marzipan. Lush and enveloping, it finishes with a lot of, as yet, superficial, fruit-and-syrup sweetness, but certainly also with an impressive nutty, floral and honeyed character. This will always be more static in personality than the riveting 2004, but 6-8 years (or more) should bring clarity and further complexity, and in the meantime it will make an interesting match with many desserts because their sweetness will not overwhelm it.
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Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.
Praised for its stately Renaissance-era chateaux, the picturesque Loire valley produces pleasant wines of just about every style. Just south of Paris, the appellation lies along the river of the same name and stretches from the Atlantic coast to the center of France.
The Loire can be divided into three main growing areas, from west to east: the Lower Loire, Middle Loire, and Upper/Central Loire. The Pay Nantais region of the Lower Loire—farthest west and closest to the Atlantic—has a maritime climate and focuses on the Melon de Bourgogne variety, which makes refreshing, crisp, aromatic whites.
The Middle Loire contains Anjou, Saumur and Touraine. In Anjou, Chenin Blanc produces some of, if not the most, outstanding dry and sweet wines with a sleek, mineral edge and characteristics of crisp apple, pear and honeysuckle. Cabernet Franc dominates red and rosé production here, supported often by Grolleau and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sparkling Crémant de Loire is a specialty of Saumur. Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are common in Touraine as well, along with Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay and Malbec (known locally as Côt).
The Upper Loire, with a warm, continental climate, is Sauvignon Blanc country, home to the world-renowned appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Pinot Noir and Gamay produce bright, easy-drinking red wines here.