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2020 Chinon “Les Petites Roches” Blanc
Charles JoguetChenin Blanc represents less than 5% of vineyard plantings in Chinon and for most of its history Domaine Joguet has focused predominantly on the Touraine’s great red grape, Cabernet Franc. Tasting this brand-new cuvée, however, you might think vigneron Kevin Fontainte has been producing Chenin for decades. Bone dry and perfectly chiseled, this zesty Petites Roches blanc will serve you well alongside a wide range of seafood from raw oysters to seared scallops to grilled sea bass.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Chinon |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Charles Joguet |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1994 to 1999, 3 ha |
Soil: | Limestone, Clay |
Aging: | Aged in 50% stainless steel, 50% demi-muids for 4 months |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2016 Chinon “Les Petites Roches” MAGNUM
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Given light treatment in the cellar, this wine shows off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form.
2019 Chinon “Clos de la Dioterie”
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Age-worthy red from one of Chinon’s top sites, by a storied domaine.
2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
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Chinons from Joguet are known for their firm minerality, but this one is quite charming as well, with plummy black fruit, myrtle, and notes of warm licorice.
2022 Jasnières “Cuvée Sainte Narcisse”
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It might be the most unusual and most delicious top-quality sweet wine you have ever tried: a pure Chenin Blanc from a special selection of late-harvest grapes in the appellation of Jasnière.
2020 Chinon “Les Petites Roches”
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Showing off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form, rife with aromas of roses, damp earth, and little red berries.
2022 Chinon Rosé
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One of the first rosés Kermit imported, this wine has been consistently delicious for four decades.
2018 Chinon Blanc “Clos de la Plante Martin”
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The singularity and beauty of Chenin Blanc really shines with a bit of age, which is what makes this wine so special to enjoy now.
2021 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
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2020 Chinon “Les Varennes du Grand Clos”
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2020 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
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The perfect combination of tart red fruit, herbaceousness, and graphite earthiness.
About The Producer
Charles Joguet
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
More from Loire or France
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2022 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
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2022 Quincy “Château de Quincy”
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2021 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
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2022 Cheverny Rosé
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2022 Savennières
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2018 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Gorges”
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2019 Bourgueil “Clos Sénéchal”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
Champalou France | Loire
2022 Quincy “Château de Quincy”
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2021 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2022 Cheverny Rosé
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil Rosé
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
1989 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Savennières
Château d'Epiré France | Loire
2021 Sancerre “Les Cris”
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2019 Vin de France Rouge Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Clandestine”
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire
2022 Sancerre
Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2018 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Gorges”
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174