A powerful, terroir-driven Cabernet Franc from Chinon which, with its firm structure and ripe tannins, still needs a little time to reveal its full charm.
Redcurrants, barberries and cranberries, along with cherries, red pepper, ripe tomatoes and a hint of tomato leaf
Palate
Firm on the palate with robust, ripe tannins, vibrant acidity and well-integrated oak spice – still youthful, yet showing great potential
Character
A structured, multi-layered red wine with depth and elegance that already displays sensuality now but will reach its full stature in two to three years’ time
Pairing
Herb-crusted rack of lamb, duck breast with red cabbage, mature hard cheese
Notes
From 35-year-old vines on clay-limestone soils on the left bank of the Vienne; vinified with a cool pre-fermentation maceration and aged in large wooden casks – a wine that expresses its terroir rather than the hand of the winemaker
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
A vibrant garnet red, radiating youthful vitality in the glass.
Nose
Deeper and more reserved than its siblings, this Cabernet Franc displays a fascinating aromatic profile: redcurrants and barberries mingle with cranberries, some cherries, and a subtle vegetal note of red pepper and ripe tomatoes with tomato leaves.
Palate
The wine feels firm and structured, with firm, ripe tannins that still need time to soften. The present acidity lends it a vibrant energy, whilst the well-integrated oak spice already allows a certain sensuality to shine through. It glows from within, despite its youthful rigour.
Finish
Long and promising, with a firm tannic structure and fresh acidity that point to great ageing potential.
Terroir & origin
The Les Charmes vineyard lies on the left bank of the Vienne, on the heights of Anché, the neighbouring commune to Sazilly. The 35-year-old Cabernet Franc vines are rooted in a clay-limestone terroir with a north-facing aspect. Domaine Charles Joguet, certified organic since 2016, cultivates a total of 35 hectares, 30 of which are planted to Cabernet Franc.
Grape variety & vinification
100% Cabernet Franc. The wine undergoes a five-day cold pre-fermentation maceration, followed by a 15-day fermentation on the skins in wooden vats at 24°C to 26°C. The free-run wine is blended with the finest press wines. Malolactic fermentation and six to eight months of maturation take place in large wooden casks.
Food pairing suggestions
An ideal companion to grilled lamb, duck confit, beef fillet, or pungent goat’s cheese.
Special features
The 2019 Les Charmes is still young and will only reveal its full potential in two to three years’ time. Its excellent vintage promises a magnificent evolution. Charles Joguet’s philosophy of vinifying each terroir separately is reflected in the precision and depth of this wine.
