Charles Joguet 2020 Chinon "Les Varennes du Grand Clos", Loire Valley

This has long been my personal favorite bottling of the venerable Charles Joguet estate.  This regal wine is from a single vineyard which the Kermit Lynch people wrote “if premier crus were permitted in Chinon, Les Varennes du Grand Clos would certainly be considered one of them.”  Organically farmed old vines by today’s standards, planted in 1972 and 1976.  Winemaker Kevin Fontaine has crafted a richly flavored, silky-textured beauty, which is just beginning to show its potential. 

“Deep, dark herbal aromas announce a muscular palate, boldly delivering a delightful burst of red fruit along with tannic structure. Did I say Petites Roches had a long finish? Well, this one goes on for days. Try it with farm-fresh beef and olive sauté.”—E. Spillmann, Kermit Lynch Imports