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2016 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
Charles JoguetOne of the appellation’s oldest documented vineyard sites, this mythical parcel is responsible for the boldest, most age-worthy wine in the Joguet cellars. Chêne Vert’s tuffeau limestone soil and extended aging in barrel without filtration yield this deep, chewy, brooding beast of a Chinon. The domaine claims that Chêne Vert begins to open up after the ten-year mark, but if you choose to pull the cork sooner, I suggest roasted game, leg of lamb, a rich braise, or wild mushrooms to achieve optimal harmony.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Chinon |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Charles Joguet |
Winemaker: | Kevin Fontaine |
Vineyard: | Vines 30 years old |
Soil: | Siliceous chalk & clay |
Aging: | Prolonged aging in 1-3 year-old barrels for 18 months |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2020 Chinon “Les Varennes du Grand Clos”
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2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
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Chinons from Joguet are known for their firm minerality, but this one is quite charming as well, with plummy black fruit, myrtle, and notes of warm licorice.
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Age-worthy red from one of Chinon’s top sites, by a storied domaine.
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About The Producer
Charles Joguet
About The Region
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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2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie
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2022 Sancerre
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2022 Bourgueil Rosé
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2020 Saumur Blanc “Terres”
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2020 Vouvray “Pierres Rousses”
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2020 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
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