Day 1-Loire-Charles Joguet-Chinon

I'm officially calling this day one, because this is our first real day of tasting. Our day started out at Charles Joguet in Chinon. Charles Joguet is a famous artist in Tours these days and no longer owns the winery, but his method and style of winemaking are carried on by Francois-Xavier Barc or FX, and is soon to be taken over by the propietors daughter, Charlotte and Kevin Fontaine who has been FX's apprentice since '06. Chinon's only red grape is Cabernet Franc.

Tasting order:

2009 Blanc from Touraine...100% Chenin Blanc
2009 Rose-Manually harvested and organic-bought 5 cases of this...unbelievable
2008 Cuvee Terroir-got 10 cases of this...good stuff
2008 La Petit Roche-grown in limestone soil
2007 Cuvee de la Cure (sp?)- This wine wowed me, so we got 5 cases of it
2007 La Variennes du Grand Clos-clay,limestone and sand soil
2007 Clos de la Pieterie-1.5 tons an acre yield...only 8000 bottles produced
2007 Clos du Chene Vert- Ditto the last
2002 Clos du Chene Vert- Heavy violet aromas, full bodied and complete, beautiful & elegant
2001 Clos du Chene Vert-more minerality
2000 Clos du Chene Vert-beautiful nose, not as much structure or minerality
1999 Clos du Chene Vert-mulberry and coffee on nose
1998 Clos du Chene Vert-Blueberry, cocoa and leather
1996 Clos du Chene Vert-Really nice, '96 was better for ageing, lots of red stone minerals
2009 Chenin Blanc late harvest-apples, quince, honey and nectar...only 25 cases made...outstanding way to finish!



80 year old vineyard outside of Charles Joguet






The terroir




Barrel Room



FX




Charlotte, Kevin and Charlotte's dad




A better shot of the cellar