Charles Joguet Les Charmes Rouge 2023

Charles Joguet is one of the defining names of Chinon in the Loire Valley, where Cabernet Franc finds one of its great homes. This organic red comes from a parcel selection that gives the cuvee its name. Chinon sits on a mix of gravel terraces and limestone clay slopes, and the cooler, more continental climate of the middle Loire keeps Cabernet Franc fresh, with the bright acidity and herbal lift that distinguish it from riper expressions. The wine is aged six months in barrel, a restrained period that softens the tannins through gentle oxygen exchange while leaving the fruit and the soil character in the foreground rather than layering on oak. It pours a medium ruby. The nose shows red cherry, raspberry and red currant, with violet, a graphite minerality and the leafy, savoury edge typical of the grape. The palate is medium bodied, fresh and fine-grained, finishing on red fruit and a dry, earthy note. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, slightly cool, and a brief decant suits the 2023. It is a natural partner for roast and game birds.