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2012 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”

Charles Joguet
Discount Eligible $49.00
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Monks first planted Cabernet Franc vines on this well-exposed chalky slope in the eleventh century, making Clos du Chêne Vert one of Chinon’s oldest parcels. Charles Joguet acquired the land by auction and was left with the laborious task of clearing and replanting the overgrown, untended hillside. In 1988 Kermit wrote, “Le Chêne Vert, once the vines are of sufficient age, will produce Joguet’s finest wine.” Today, the vines are more than thirty-five years old, and that statement has proven true. The wine has appropriate magnitude for such a storied vineyard, expressing this legendary site with intensity and refinement. Raised eighteen months in used barrels, this is a thick, profound Chinon that will evolve much like a great Bordeaux growth. While you can definitely appreciate the 2012 now—ideally, after patiently decanting it and serving with a rare cut of steak—several years in the cellar will bring out its full potential. –Anthony Lynch


Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2012
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Chinon
Country: France
Region: Loire
Producer: Charles Joguet
Winemaker: Kevin Fontaine
Soil: Sliceous chalk & clay
Aging: Prolonged aging in 1-3 year-old barrels for 12-15 months
Farming: Organic
Alcohol: 12.5%

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About The Region

Loire

map of Loire

The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?

Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.

Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.

Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.

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Sampling wine out of the barrel.

When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:

1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.

Inspiring Thirst, page 174