As chance would have it, 3 recent bottles from the Loire worth a report.
First, the disappointment: 09 Baudry Chinon (domaine). High hopes for this wine which has been very good as well as reliable. But this was flabby and a little oxidized. simple grapy without much backbone. A rare off bottle, the exception from a careful property. Drinkable but only just, especially knowing what it ought be. C.
Next, 2010 Ch. Brézé (recently taken over by Dom St Just who is now making the wine). A racy chenin from the far acidic side of the pallet, apple and lemon, slight chenin wooliness, very good. A-.
Finally, an anomaly: 1990 Ch. Hureau Saumur Champigny. Very bricky with some faded fruit and mushroom in the nose, but opening into clean blackberry and milk chocolate, very fine acidity and melted tannins with a hint of white pepper and a surprisingly chewy finish. Really delicious and shows how good an old CF can be. A+!
-E