2021 Charles Joguet 'Cuvee Terroir' Chinon

Winemaker Notes:  The Cuvée Terroir is one of the great everyday reds in our portfolio, right up there with Dupeuble’s Beaujolais, Fontsainte’s Corbières, and our Côtes du Rhône. Here, the Terroir’s Cabernet Franc telltale combination of tart red fruit, herbaceousness, and graphite earthiness makes this wine the perfect accompaniment for just about any meal, and the more casual the better. As a testament to the quality and consistency of this wine, here’s Kermit’s endorsement from 20 years ago about the 2000 vintage:

"What a rich, explosive bouquet! Can you dig it? Did Joguet throw some strawberries into the fermentation vat? And never fear, the palate sustains the incredible level of quality. It is delicious, an absolutely gorgeous, multi-dimensional wine. Joguet has delivered a wonderful bunch of wines over the years, but never such pure drinking pleasure. I should have ordered it in magnums, so I would not have to pull corks so often. It is a new peak, largely because it is so sumptuous. It’s a treat, and it is to drink young."

I think that about sums it up. And despite the winemaker describing this as “Full, sensual, even voluptuous,” he also suggests that it is to be served a bit cool. Try it on for size yourself. —Dustin Soiseth, Kermit Lynch