1997 Domaine des Baumard Savennieres --this was served to me double-blind, and try as I might, I couldn't identify it (it got to the point where I named every white varietal I could think of, and explained correctly why it wasn't that one). I have no previous experience with aged dry Chenin Blanc, and this one was a real eye-opener. This wine had an almost petrol nose with some chalky mineral notes peeking through, but after about 20 minutes the petrol was gone and a melange of fruit was there-- almost a fruit cocktail/fruit syrup bouquet, and it was similar in the mouth. Pear, apricot, quince, all swirling delicately around with a lot of mineral and earthy notes. There wasn't the expected screeching acidity that I associate with young[er] Chenin, although it wasn't lacking in acid, either. It had lots of flavor on the medium-length finish as well, as well as a beeswax element that showed up at the end. From a winery well-known for its sweet wines (Quarts de Chaume), this is a surprisingly complex and assertive white that could complement a lot of dinners.

An interesting wine to me, though I wouldn't like a steady diet of it. On the other hand, if it were available to me, I'd cellar a couple for a few years just to see where it goes. I understand it was purchased at Costco in Palm Springs two weeks ago, and is likely still available there.