Charles Joguet 'Cuvée Terroir' Chinon 2023

In Short

Loire Cabernet Franc from a legendary producer, bright cherry and graphite with fine tannins and crisp acidity.

Quick Facts

• Region: Chinon, Loire Valley
• Variety: Cabernet Franc
• Style: Medium-bodied red
• Best For: Weeknight dinners, casual entertaining

Why We Stock It

Charles Joguet is a founding figure of modern Chinon, and this cuvée shows why the region matters. It is the wine that teaches you what Cabernet Franc can do when it is grown in cool soil and picked ripe without heaviness. At this price it is a reliable introduction to serious Loire reds.

Tasting Profile

This is a bright, linear wine that tastes of cool climate more than fruit ripeness.

• Aroma: Red cherry, raspberry, graphite, herbaceous notes
• Palate: Red currant, mineral, crisp acidity
• Structure & Finish: Fine tannins, clean finish with earthy undertone

Winemaking

Cabernet Franc vinified in the regional tradition, fermented in temperature-controlled conditions and aged to preserve the wine's natural acidity and freshness rather than extract.

Serving & Pairing

Serve at 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, no decanting needed. It suits grilled lamb chops and herb-roasted chicken, and is equally happy with a charcuterie board or soft cheese. The acidity cuts through richness while the tannins are fine enough not to demand food, making it genuinely versatile.

The Estate

Charles Joguet is a grower-winemaker and a towering figure in Chinon since the 1970s. The estate remains a benchmark for the appellation, known for respecting the terroir rather than manipulating the fruit.

Terroir

Chinon sits on the north bank of the Loire in the west, where Cabernet Franc ripens in a cool maritime climate moderated by Atlantic winds. The soils here are schist and clay, which give the wine its mineral spine and red-fruit purity rather than dark-fruit weight.