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Charles Joguet Les Varennes du Grand Clos Franc de Pied (Chinon) 2004

Another very successful Cabernet Franc from an always reliable producer of Loire red wine. This bottling is unique in that it comes from vines that have not been grafted onto American rootstocks and thus are very vulnerable to phylloxera. As a result, the grapes that go into this wine tend to come from young vines. In 2004, Joguet produced a very fruity wine, with forward raspberry, cherry, and currant flavors. It’s a perfect bistro wine for current consumption, but if you’ve got a decent cellar, you might lay a bottle or two aside until, say, 2015 to see what happens. Grade: B++