Les Varennes du Grand Clos AOC 2019

Wine Description for Les Varennes du Grand Clos AOC 2019 by Charles Joguet

Colour & Appearance

Deep, slightly transparent garnet red – classic and inviting, with a clarity that already announces the winemaker’s precision in the glass.

Nose

An exemplary pure, unadulterated Cabernet Franc nose: juicy red berries, cassis and an unmistakable hint of green pepper and tomato leaf. These are joined by fresh herbs and a delicate touch of blonde tobacco – complex, yet never overdone. This is Chinon in its purest, most honest form.

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays its youthful energy with conviction: the tannins are firm, almost still grippy, yet by no means rough – they promise a brilliant future. The clear acidity structure holds everything together and gives the wine its characteristic directness. Beneath this lies a beautiful depth of fruit with a very slight, silky extract sweetness. Stringent, precise and of genuine substance.

Finish

Long and mineral-driven, with sustained fruit and a light herbal note in the closing. The tannins leave a pleasantly structured, dry finish – a wine that demands time and rewards it.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Les Varennes du Grand Clos lies between the left bank of the Vienne and the legendary Clos de la Dioterie. The relatively flat vineyard combines sandy-loamy and sandy-gravelly soils over limestone – a terroir that places elegance and freshness at the forefront.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Cabernet Franc from vines planted between 1922 and 1976 – the oldest vines bring a depth and concentration that no young vineyard can achieve. Ten days of cool pre-fermentation at 10 °C, followed by gentle maceration in wooden vats at a maximum of 21 °C over roughly four weeks. Ageing in French oak barrels (one-fifth renewed annually) for 15 to 16 months, followed by six months of harmonisation in tank. Artisanal winemaking at the highest level.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Best enjoyed now with grilled lamb loin, entrecôte or a classic Coq au vin. Aged Loire goat’s cheese is also an authentic and wonderful accompaniment. As a standalone wine, this requires a few more years of cellar rest – it should reach peak form around 2025–2028.

Special Features

Charles Joguet is regarded as a pioneer of modern Chinon. His single-vineyard wines have shaped the appellation’s reputation internationally. The 2019 vintage gave the Loire ripe, concentrated fruit whilst maintaining freshness – a vintage with genuine ageing potential.