Domaine Bernard Baudry, Chinon 2006, Loire Valley, France ($42)

Finally, got hold of some Chinon. Not easy stuff to get even in Melbourne. Found it in Providore in Canberra. Good shop. A nice balanced wine - but not showy. No big nose, no big big flavours. Just a very smooth darker-than-average flavour dominated by dark berry flavours. Given that 2006 was meant to e a bad year for reds in that part of the world, the wine was better than I expected. At $42 I'm not sure I'd buy this vintage again, even through the quality was acceptable. More a case of ticking Chinon off the list, and maybe waiting for a well received vintage for a return visit.