La Dioterie, 37220 Sazilly, France
Phone: +33 (0)2 47 58 55 53
E-mail: joguet@charlesjoguet.com
Web: www.charlesjoguet.comCharles
Joguet is one of the most famous names names in the Loire, but I have to admit I was
fairly disappointed by this line up, which mostly consisted of the 1999s. They aren't bad
wines; they just lack the excitement you'd expect from a domaine with this sort of
reputation. Is the production here taking a more commercial and less interesting
direction, or is it just a poor vintage? (Charles Joguet himself retired from running the
Domaine in 1997.) One wine, however, was stunning: the excellent 1998 Clos du Chêne
Vert.
Touraine Blanc 1998
A lovely young Chenin Blanc with an attractive waxy/herby nose. Lean and mineralic on the
palate with fresh acidity. Very good
Chinon Cuvée Terroir 1999
Bright purple colour. Bright fruity nose, with cherries and leafy notes. With sweet fruit
on the palate, this is simple but lively stuff -- a nice quaffer. Very good
Chinon Cuvée Jeunes Vignes 1999
Bright purple colour with a pleasant nose displaying cherries and spice. Rich
fruit on the palate with some tannins. A nice wine for current drinking. Very good
Clos de La Cure 1999
Red/purple colour. Rich, expressive nose of ripe, leafy fruit. On the palate it
is youthful, of medium concentration, and shows nice balance between fruit and tannin.
Quite a light style. Very good
Les Varennes du Grand Clos 1999
Bright red/purple colour with a muted nose. Dense, mineralic palate with some
tannin. Medium weight. Very good
Clos du Chêne Vert 1999
Dense red/purple colour. Nice leafy/cherry nose and good concentration on the
palate, which shows ripe fruit, minerals and firm tannins. Very good/excellent
Clos de la Doiterie 1999
Deep red/purple colour. Ripe mineralic and leafy nose. Midweight palate shows
tannins and mineral-laced fruit. Good potential? Very good+
Clos du Chêne Vert 1998
A real step of from the rest of the wines here, with a spicy, raspberry, smoky
nose. On the palate this is rich, mineralic and concentrated, with firm tannins and great
ageing potential. Excellent