Who loves Boudignon?

R

Rahsaan

Rahsaan
I’ve heard a lot about Boudignon. And despite my general reluctance to spend that much money when great chenin can be had for much less, the style sounded so appealing that I gave in and bought these wines. Both at a digestible 12%.

2022 Boudignon Savennières Clos de Fremine
Definitely a new idiom of Savennières. Neither the old backwards style nor the pumped up modern style. This showed all the pure clear delicate elegance that I was expecting. Not even sure I would pick it as Savennières blind. The herbal flinty elements made me think of Chablis/Muscadet/Sancerre. As it opens it does show more of the chenin varietal notes. But whatever it is, it is silky elegant deliciousness that convinced me.

2021 Boudignon Savennières Clos de la Hutte
Was expecting a step up, but maybe not the best timing. Even more delicate and more gentle, with the added bonus of the sharper 2021 vintage that leaned sour in comparison. Needs a lot of air to kick into gear, and does become a very nice wine as the midpalate arrives at the party. Not sure if the vintage comparison was too challenging, or if this will just be a lot better with more time. It’s certainly a very delicate and elegant wine, so I’ll give it respect. But this showing did not offer that much more pleasure than the 22 Fremine, for whatever that is worth.
 
I really like Boudignon but it's definitely expensive wine. I get the same thrill from. Epire for about half the cost.
I think those crus may need several years to really show their stuff but that's a guess on my part.
 
In the last year I have had the 2020 La Hutte and the 2021 Fremine on a few occasions. So, a miss-match on the vintages, but:

The 2021 Fremine has seemed a bit shrill. The acid never seems to play nicely with the rest of the wine.

The 2020 La Hutte has been, each and every time, absolutely lovely. Balance, depth and suave as hell. There is so much there, but not a touch of heaviness. The wine hits all parts of the palate, dancing the whole time, but remains civilized and sexy.
 
originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:
I really like Boudignon but it's definitely expensive wine. I get the same thrill from. Epire for about half the cost.
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Thanks for the reminder. From where I shop, Épiré Cuvée Spéciale is more like 1/3 the price of the Hutte! And they're probably not old fashioned backwards anymore either. Should check in.

I was also impressed with the evolution in style at Domaine aux Moines, although the elegance factor much higher with Boudignon.
 
originally posted by scottreiner:
In the last year I have had the 2020 La Hutte and the 2021 Fremine on a few occasions. So, a miss-match on the vintages, but:

The 2021 Fremine has seemed a bit shrill. The acid never seems to play nicely with the rest of the wine.
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Yeah, maybe 21 didn't play into the strengths. Plus these are all very young vines. I'm sure the best is yet to come.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:
I really like Boudignon but it's definitely expensive wine. I get the same thrill from. Epire for about half the cost.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reminder. From where I shop, Épiré Cuvée Spéciale is more like 1/3 the price of the Hutte! And they're probably not old fashioned backwards anymore either. Should check in.

I was also impressed with the evolution in style at Domaine aux Moines, although the elegance factor much higher with Boudignon.
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Aux Moines is a favorite of mine too. They have a second property in Anjou (name escapes me at the moment.Begins with a "B") and the Anjou blanc they make is really enjoyable.
 
originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:
Aux Moines is a favorite of mine too. They have a second property in Anjou (name escapes me at the moment.Begins with a "B") and the Anjou blanc they make is really enjoyable.
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A short interview with Tessa Laroche, from 2023. Note the shout-out to Richard Leroy!: click
 
I love Boudignon, but then you probably already know that! With not too much work, the Anjou blanc can be found ~$40 and it's a value at that price.

I don't know I'd call Boudignon delicate, but they are really elegant. I think the 2021 has plenty of density, it'll just be a minute for it to come out. In the mean time, I find the structure as a young wine exhilarating.

To me, it has nothing in common with Épiré or Domaine aux Moines. The closest I've had stylistically is Plaisance, but those still aren't at the same level of intensity and grace.

Collier is still my Chenin of choice but I've been buying Boudignon as my budget allows. FWIW, we do really well with the Anjou Blanc at the restaurant at $79.
 
originally posted by VLM:
I love Boudignon, but then you probably already know that!
....
Collier is still my Chenin of choice but I've been buying Boudignon as my budget allows.
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Yes, I was thinking of your preference for Collier, as the Boudignon Hutte and Collier Charpenterie are in the same price range. I guess Collier is the rounder and more oak-influenced style, which just comes down to preference.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by VLM:
I love Boudignon, but then you probably already know that!
....
Collier is still my Chenin of choice but I've been buying Boudignon as my budget allows.
Click to expand...

Yes, I was thinking of your preference for Collier, as the Boudignon Hutte and Collier Charpenterie are in the same price range. I guess Collier is the rounder and more oak-influenced style, which just comes down to preference.
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Well, I think it is more than just style although some of it is that. The Collier wines are old, some are very old (like 100+), and the élévage is long and slow. They can be airy like the 2019, or rich and incomprehensibly deep like the 2016. In a way, I think they are less marked by a winemaking signature than Boudignon as I find more variance in expression year to year (which is very much like the Rougeard Brézé). I mean, I buy both but definitely stretch the budget for Collier. That's why I don't have any Rebholz...
 
originally posted by georg lauer:


I love the Boudignons as well. But the prices hurt indeed.
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No one is saying what these wines cost, so I checked. La Hutte is $100 per bottle, and La Hutte Franc de Pied is $220. I am generally not a fan of Savennières (often too thick, blocky, and too high in alcohol); I guess I will pass and stick to Montlouis or Vouvray in cooler vintages.
 
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by georg lauer:


I love the Boudignons as well. But the prices hurt indeed.
Click to expand...
No one is saying what these wines cost, so I checked. La Hutte is $100 per bottle, and La Hutte Franc de Pied is $220. I am generally not a fan of Savennières (often too thick, blocky, and too high in alcohol); I guess I will pass and stick to Montlouis or Vouvray in cooler vintages.
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Is the Anjou Blanc available in your market? That's worth trying and at least it wholesales less than Huet Sec does here.

The Hutte and Hutte Franc de Pied (I bought 1 bottle, may never do so again, depending) are quite expensive.
 
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by georg lauer:


I love the Boudignons as well. But the prices hurt indeed.
Click to expand...
No one is saying what these wines cost, so I checked. La Hutte is $100 per bottle, and La Hutte Franc de Pied is $220. I am generally not a fan of Savennières (often too thick, blocky, and too high in alcohol); I guess I will pass and stick to Montlouis or Vouvray in cooler vintages.
Click to expand...

In Nyc, Fremine is $100 and Hutte is $120.

But the above bottles were the opposite of thick and blocky and they were both 12%. You'd probably like the style. But, whether it's worth the price is a different story.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by georg lauer:


I love the Boudignons as well. But the prices hurt indeed.
Click to expand...
No one is saying what these wines cost, so I checked. La Hutte is $100 per bottle, and La Hutte Franc de Pied is $220. I am generally not a fan of Savennières (often too thick, blocky, and too high in alcohol); I guess I will pass and stick to Montlouis or Vouvray in cooler vintages.
Click to expand...

In Nyc, Fremine is $100 and Hutte is $120.

But the above bottles were the opposite of thick and blocky and they were both 12%. You'd probably like the style. But, whether it's worth the price is a different story.
Click to expand...

I've never had a Savennieres I'd describe as thick and blocky. Boudignon's wines certainly aren't.
 
originally posted by Bill Lundstrom:
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by mark e:
originally posted by georg lauer:


I love the Boudignons as well. But the prices hurt indeed.
Click to expand...
No one is saying what these wines cost, so I checked. La Hutte is $100 per bottle, and La Hutte Franc de Pied is $220. I am generally not a fan of Savennières (often too thick, blocky, and too high in alcohol); I guess I will pass and stick to Montlouis or Vouvray in cooler vintages.
Click to expand...

In Nyc, Fremine is $100 and Hutte is $120.

But the above bottles were the opposite of thick and blocky and they were both 12%. You'd probably like the style. But, whether it's worth the price is a different story.
Click to expand...

I've never had a Savennieres I'd describe as thick and blocky.
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Domaine du Closel Clos du Papillon often is, at least, for me.
 
originally posted by Michael Lewis:
originally posted by VLM:
FWIW, we do really well with the Anjou Blanc at the restaurant at $79.
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That is an absolute steal off of a restaurant list.
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I think so too! We also have Plaisance Savennières and Baudry La Croix Boissée Blanc at the same price. It's really just public service.

BTW, great to see your name on a post here, hope you're doing well.
 
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