Patrick Baudouin: Tasting & Drinking
Patrick Baudouin started out with almost nothing in 1990, and yet within two decades he had developed a reputation as one of the leading lights in Anjou. This is a reputation he has maintained through to current times, and he is now clearly one of the most inspirational and influential vignerons in Anjou.
His is a reputation that initially rested largely on success with his sweet wines, but in more recent years it has become very clear that there are some excellent dry white wines, in the Anjou and Savennières appellations, to be had here too. These wines have a firm and full style, but at their best they have vibrant acidity and pure definition, making for very drinkable wines.
Patrick makes a variety of styles, dry white, sweet white and red, and it seems he can always produce something of interest, regardless of the character of the vintage. As such, listing worthwhile vintages seems a little pointless, but I do have to point you in the direction of the 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 vintages, which all yielded high-quality wines. Look back to the older vintages though, to Patrick’s superb array of sweet wines, and you will be hard pressed to find a disappointing vintage.
Of note, Patrick was one of a handful of Anjou vignerons – the others included Jo Pithon and Philippe Delesvaux – who exemplified the liquoreux style in the region, the wines made in this style – a minor but important feature of the portfolio – being laden with powerful botrytis, imbuing the wines with a rich, caramel-red hue and a sweetness so intense it could make your eyeballs pop. If you’re not careful. Check out the 1999 Sélection de Grains Nobles or 1996 Maria Juby, just two examples of the style, to see what I mean.
It is clear to me that this estate is an incredibly important one for the region, with a dedicated, thoughtful and committed vigneron currently holding the reins, even if the outside investment is such that Patrick is no longer the owner. Having said that, it is this investment which has allowed Patrick to continue to charm us with his wines. I have bought and cellared these wines on more than one occasion, and thanks to the support given by Anatole de la Brosse it seems I can continue to look forward to tasting and drinking more of Patrick’s wines in the future. (24/3/09, updated 7/1/15, 3/8/26)
