It's a Family Affair, Chinon 'Les Granges', Baudry Pere et Fils

Unfortunately, I let the New York stop of the Loire Valley Wines 2008 roadshow come and go.
I was so busy getting settled and catching up on things.

As a consolation prize, I did have the chance to enjoy a wine from area that I picked last week.
This Chinon, Les Granges (2006), it's is a family affair (as Sly Stone said).
Bernard Baudry counts son Matthieu as his assistant.

It's all Cabernet Franc and according to the distributor, Louis/Dressner,"Baudry’s style exemplifies rich, precise fruit picked at perfect ripeness levels and vinified cleanly using state-of-the-art equipment. The first release and most youthful wine is the Les Granges. This is from young vines (10-15 years old) planted on alluvial soil and gravel near the riverbed. When the Vienne river floods in some springs, Baudry may be found pruning the vines from a boat".

I did find the smokiness that they describe.

Even though some critics describe the Baudry wines as serious, they are not pretentious.

This one is meant to be enjoyed now.

Around $13.

More good juice from the Loire: Amazing Loire Valley Wines at  New York Tasting (2006)
and Back to the Loire with Cheverny 'Le Pressoir'