2017 Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie, France, Loire, Wine Review

This is the top of the line from this top producer of Loire Cab Francs. The vineyard dates back to the 1930's. It showed well, but not as special as one might hope. Does it need more time? Who knows. Is it in a dumb phase? Possibly, but that seems unlikely. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherry fruit, a cola note and slight chalk. Medium bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, black cherry fruit with slight tobacco note and slighter sorrel. Nice finish. Seems to be drinking well now and should continue for another eight to twelve years. Nice on its own, this would be even better with Lamb Chops.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2017

Current Price:

$60.00USD

Life is Like a Mixed Case of Loire Cabernet Franc (or, A Wild Night at Solano Cellars)

If you’re looking for a wild night, grab a few bottles of Loire Cabernet Franc, call a couple of friends, and swing by your local wine shop. I kid you not. My wife and I did this very thing yesterday evening, and it proved to be one crazy ride. For the normal among us – those who prefer to spend their evenings at the theater, clubs, house parties, or sporting events – a Cabernet Franc tasting may not sound terribly entertaining.

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Rosé du Loire? Mais oui! Cabernet Franc’s Lighter Shade

The Bay Area is experiencing an unseasonable hot spell. And here, like most places suffering under the unrelenting rays of our nearest star, rosé is king. But not just any rosé. Survey the bottles of blush pinch-hitting for rouge in wine enthusiasts’ lineups these days, and you’ll find a predominance of wine from Southern France . And rightly so – no region does rosé better than the appellations bordering the sun-lit Cote d’Azur. But Provence is not the only show in town. Other regions, not only in France but also in Spain, Germany, and Italy, produce delightful examples of warm weather’s red-substitute.

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2005 Charles Joguet Chinon Franc de Pied Les Varennes du Grand Clos, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

Grade:

From one of the top red producers in the Loire Valley. 2005 was a strong vintage and allowed the Cabernet Franc to get ripe. This was a great showing for this wine. It was identifiable as the Loire with everything good about it. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great. Earthy, slight barnyard, cherries, slight black cherries and an interesting clove note. With air, a fresh tobacco note comes out. On the palate, this is soft. A nicely layered and complex texture. Layers of cherries, slight black cherries, fresh hay and slight earthiness. There are still lig

2017 Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée de La Cure, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$32.00USD

Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has black cherries with a slight cough syrup notes. Medium bodied. On the palate, black cherries with slight underlying chalk and a hint of cigar tobacco. Great texture. This has a nice complexity that unwinds in the glass. Drinking well on its own, this would be better with food. It could probably stand up to a bit of spice such as tacos or even curry. Drink over the next eve to ten years.

2018 Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$27.00USD

Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, slight black pepper, slight chalk and a hint of cigar tobacco. Medium bodied. On the palate, layers of black cherry fruit with some chalkiness. Silky texture. Nice finish. Tasty. Drinking well on its own, it will work better with food. Drink over the next ten years.

2017 Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie, France, Loire, Wine Review

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Life is Like a Mixed Case of Loire Cabernet Franc (or, A Wild Night at Solano Cellars)

Rosé du Loire? Mais oui! Cabernet Franc’s Lighter Shade

2005 Charles Joguet Chinon Franc de Pied Les Varennes du Grand Clos, France, Loire Valley, Wine Review

2017 Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée de La Cure, France, Loire, Wine Review

2018 Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, France, Loire, Wine Review