Charles Joguet 2022 Chinon "Cuvee Terroir", Loire Valley

Importer Kermit Lynch discovered the great Charles Joguet on one of his first professional travels to France at a time when nobody in America knew the difference between Chinon and China.  But it was a valuable discovery for Kermit, because Joguet was regarded as the leader in the historic Loire Valley appellation.  Recently, we wanted to re-acquaint ourselves with the estate Joguet, and the entry-level “Cuvée Terroir” was our introduction.  To say we are delighted with the wine would be an understatement.  It is rare to find Cabernet Franc so fresh tasting and inviting, so beautifully perfumed and begging for our next meal, we had to bring Joguet back to The Wine Country and share it with our customers.

The Cuvée Terroir is one of the great everyday reds in the Kermit Lynch portfolio, right up there with Dupeuble’s Beaujolais and the Kermit Lynch  Côtes du Rhône. Here, the Terroir’s Cabernet Franc telltale combination of tart red fruit, herbaceousness, and graphite earthiness makes this wine the perfect accompaniment for just about any meal, and the more casual the better. 

“As a testament to the quality and consistency of this wine, here’s Kermit’s endorsement from more than 20 years ago about the 2000 vintage:  What a rich, explosive bouquet! Can you dig it? Did Joguet throw some strawberries into the fermentation vat? And never fear, the palate sustains the incredible level of quality. It is delicious, an absolutely gorgeous, multi-dimensional wine.  Joguet has delivered a wonderful bunch of wines over the years, but never such pure drinking pleasure. It’s a treat, and it is to drink young.  And despite the winemaker describing this as “Full, sensual, even voluptuous,” he also suggests that it is to be served a bit cool. Try it on for size yourself.”—Dustin Soiseth, Kermit Lynch Imports