Chinon
Red — avg 88.7/100 Wine Enthusiast score
88.7
range 84–94
$22.6
72
red
Chinon — a Loire Valley red appellation. Across 72 expert reviews the average Wine Enthusiast score is 88.7/100.
Appellation profile
Scores at a glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average score | 88.7/100 |
| Score range | 84–94 |
| Average price | $22.6 |
| Review count | 72 |
| Color | Red |
Dominant varieties
0, 1
Relative standing in the Loire
Rated above the Loire Valley median — a consistent performer in expert tastings.
Tasting notes
Signature flavor descriptors
Across the aggregated expert reviews, the descriptors most frequently associated with this appellation are: tannin, rich, structured, currant, smoky, mineral, blackberry, tannic.
Top-scored wines
| Wine | Producer | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernard Baudry 2008 La Croix Boisée (Chinon) | Bernard Baudry | 94/100 | $37 |
| Jean-Maurice Raffault 2010 Clos d'Isoré (Chinon) | Jean-Maurice Raffault | 93/100 | $24 |
| Charles Joguet 2010 Clos de la Dioterie (Chinon) | Charles Joguet | 93/100 | $52 |
| Bernard Baudry 2010 Le Clos Guillot (Chinon) | Bernard Baudry | 93/100 | $30 |
| Bernard Baudry 2010 Les Grézeaux (Chinon) | Bernard Baudry | 93/100 | $26 |
Sample expert review
With a touch of initial mineral austerity, this still-young wine offers tannins and a solid structure as well as black cherry and dark plum fruits. Beautifully balanced, it will develop slowly, leaving its minerality and rounding out.
— Wine Enthusiast, on Bernard Baudry 2008 La Croix Boisée (Chinon)
Terroir & Heritage
Heritage neighbours
Nearby protected monuments that share the Loire terroir include:
- Manoir du Cormier de Frazé
- Immeuble de Nantes
- Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Vertus
- Vestiges de fortifications de ville
- Bâtiments et sols de l'ancienne ferme seigneuriale
UNESCO cultural landscape
This appellation sits within (or adjacent to) the cultural landscape covered by the Val de Loire UNESCO inscription.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average score of Chinon wines?
Chinon averages 88.7/100 across 72 expert reviews on Wine Enthusiast, with a range of 84 to 94.
How much does Chinon wine cost?
Average price across reviewed wines is $22.6. Actual retail prices vary by vintage, producer and distributor.
What type of wine is Chinon?
Chinon is predominantly a red wine appellation of the Loire Valley.
Data source: Wine Enthusiast expert reviews (data.culture.gouv.fr). Last updated: April 14, 2026.