In a region steeped in tradition, Domaine des Baumard dares to redefine excellence. From the flinty slopes of Savennières to the regal sweetness of Quarts de Chaume, Baumard crafts wines that fuse centuries of heritage with a forward-looking approach. As one of the most respected producers in the Loire Valley and a master of noble Chenin Blanc, each bottling expresses remarkable purity—crisp, vibrant, and built to endure, all without a trace of oak. The result? Wines that are electric, mouthwatering, and finely etched with acidity.
Today, we are thrilled to offer a rare opportunity: a library back-vintage dessert Chenin Blanc from the revered Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru. Typically, older vintages from Baumard surface only through auction, but this release comes direct from the national importer—an exclusive for the U.S. market.
Baumard’s botrytised Chenin Blanc rivals the best from Sauternes. While Château d’Yquem reigns supreme in Bordeaux, Baumard holds that crown in the Loire. In fact, for price-to-quality, we’ll choose Baumard over Yquem any day. The 2008 Baumard Quarts de Chaume boasts greater residual sugar than the 2008 Yquem, balanced by piercing natural acidity. It’s unctuous yet laser-focused, with an unmistakable mineral backbone.
Here’s the kicker: The 2008 Château d’Yquem, ex-Château, commands well over $400 per bottle. This exclusive Baumard release is offered at a fraction of that price, direct from the source. It’s one of the true Grand Crus of the Loire—and a collector’s gem that belongs in your cellar.
The 2008 vintage was a landmark year for botrytised wines in the Loire Valley—especially in Quarts de Chaume. Domaine des Baumard’s 2008 Quarts de Chaume earned exceptional acclaim from critics, celebrated for its taut, ethereal palate and a fresh, racy finish that lingers with precision. The wine strikes a brilliant balance between sweetness and acidity, reflecting the vintage’s ideal weather: alternating humidity and sunshine that fostered the perfect conditions for noble rot development.
Baumard’s commitment to excellence—through meticulous manual harvesting in successive passes and cool-temperature fermentation—allowed the full expression of this extraordinary vintage to shine.
In the glass, it sings with high-toned aromas of honeyed citrus and tangerine. Ripe orchard fruits mingle beautifully with zesty citrus and a mineral backbone that delivers cut and verve. Even with extended bottle aging, this rare back vintage shows remarkable vibrancy and freshness—proof that true Grand Cru pedigree only grows more compelling over time.
