Domaine des Baumard Savennières 1997

[Thraz]

This is the regular cuvee, 100% chenin blanc. Very nice nose, mineral and a little honey. In the mouth, more of the same - especially the honey, especially the second day. Good acidity, long finish. Can't get over the honey - this wine is what honey would taste like if it was not sweet and had a bit of an acidic kick to it. Very nice. Purchased in 2004 for $15. The 97 is still available, but harder to get now. I have seen the 99 and the 00 on shelves, although I have not yet tasted them - I would be interested in opinions from anybody who has. As for the 97: great. I had it with a cheese platter (mainly goat), and while good, I feel there is a food combination that would be magical with this wine - and goat cheese was probably not quite it. Anybody has an idea for my last 3 bottles? (yes, honey has crossed my mind - did I mention the honey? -, but I think this wine would do better with a savory dish - maybe a fish preparation)

[TheEngineer]

I have a few bottles of th e1992's waiting patiently...gonna open soon.

[Thraz]

I tried it with sushi (in the Amish-Socialist Republic of Pennsylvania, many restaurants can't get a liquor license so all sorts of restaurants let you bring your own - even some sushi places). A great combination - although still not the magical pairing I know this wine is meant for somewhere.

[Bucko]

Savennières is extrememly food friendly, pairing with dishes from sashimi to medium cheeses to lobster. The trouble with this wine is the residual sugar, which varies dramatically.

[Thraz]

I think I got it - Indian food. I had lamb with onions in a raita sauce, she had matar paneer (vegetarian) - both medium spicy. That was the magical combination I was looking for, at least to my palate. I have been testing pairings for this wine for a while so I only have 1 bottle left, but I bought a case of the 2000 to be able to continue. It has been a bit of a 1997 binge this last couple of weeks but worth it for the Indian food discovery.

[This message has been edited by Thraz (edited 06-07-2005).]

[Thraz]

I moved on to the 2000 - same cuvee, same producer, and yet very different. I did not sense any honey, and it felt even dryer than the 97. However: fabulous too. Citrus aroma (my wife also said pineapple), more citrus on the palate, great acid, nice finish. My wife loved it too. Very good with two different fish preparations at a restaurant.

[jmcginley1]

I always bring a bottle along to a local Thai/French BYOB.

Savennières are such wonderfully aromatic wines. Flowers, Honey, citrus. I love it.

[Innkeeper]

Never rush these babies guys. Recently bought some six year old ones at a great price, thinking they were bin ends, and was just curious. They were fantastic, and I rushed back for more.

[jmcginley1]

Savennières age like few other whites.

[Thraz]

Just got a case of the 2001, wich just came out. I will sit on it for a while. This wine is the only one I have ever bought cases of (the 2000 and the 2001) without tasting a bottle first, because I loved the other vintage I had had (1997) so much. I have had one of the 2000 so far and am not disappointed.

[TheEngineer]

So how long should savennieres last (good vintage versus okay versus poor vintages...generalities...I know that this is a big question)? Should I save the 92 or pop them this year?

Many thanks

[Innkeeper]

I would guess that the '92s are ready.

[TheEngineer]

SCENE: a Navy Commander sites at his desk and reads this posting. The door is ajar and people can be seen walking past this.

Commander: [Stands up surprised!} "Ensign! Ensign! Come in here, Come in here QUICK!!

[sound of running footsteps getting closer..door opens]

Ensign: "Yes sir?"

Commander: "We've been given the go signal! Tell the cook to pull the 92 Savennieres! Go m'boy! RUN!!!, RUN!!!!"

Ensign: [eyes widen in terror, Dramatic pause] "Yes sir" [turns, trips and runs out of room]

Commander: [Running to the door yelling] "And remember to tell him to use the lobster this time!!! MA GAWD THE LOBSTER ENSIGN!!! USE THE GAWD D@MN LOBSTERS THIS TIME!!!!!"

[Running footsteps dimming in background.]

Commander: [slowing slouches walking back to his desk] I hope he got that last transmission..... May God have mercy on us all......[Commander slouches into his chair and lights dim out, curtains close]

[img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks IK

[robr]

You definitely have a future in playwriting!

[Thraz]

Did you wife appreciate the casting in this play? [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[Thraz]

Engineer, this review was written in June of 1997 by Lawrence Gipe (don't know who that is) and is posted on the Baumard website (www.baumard.fr):

Pale and seemed slightly oxidised at first ; later some green / herbal qualities filter through subtly in the nose : ginger, haricots verts and finally, a little butter. Perhaps the 92 will improve, but this legendedarily problematic year (with its overabondant crop) may have an indelible mark. For now, a little spritzy, light in structure and weight, with unresolved acids that are lean and lively. 85.

But then there are a couple of more positive reviews on the same page, in French. One of them is by a guy named Baumard though.

[TheEngineer]

Thraz,

Thanks much for the information! I could not find any information online for this wine and was hoping to get anything.

[Thraz]

I have not tasted it, but the 2002 has come out - just a heads-up if you're interested, because it is already difficult to get a hold of, at least in my area. The regular cuvee and the Clos du Papillon are both out, but all I have managed to secure is two bottles of the Papillon. I have a case of each on order but I am trying to manage my expectations. So if you like this wine and see it in the store, pick up what you can. According to a local store it's because both wines got great reviews from Parker this year.

[TheEngineer]

Thanks for the heads up Thraz! I'm heading over to my pusher tomorrow.