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The wines of Charles Joguet, Chinon
La Dioterie, 37220 Sazilly, France
Phone: +33 (0)2 47 58 55 53
E-mail: joguet@charlesjoguet.com
Web: www.charlesjoguet.com

Charles 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

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See also: tasting notes of French wines: Loire