2005 Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Clos du Chene Vert

(94 Points  --  John Gilman)

Choosing a favorite between the Clos de la Dioterie and the Clos du Chêne Vert (not to mention the Cabernet Franc de Pied bottling, which I am yet to taste, but imagine will be stellar) in 2005 is going to be exceedingly difficult, as both wines are monuments in this vintage. The Clos du Chêne Vert is perhaps a bit more transparent out of the blocks, whereas the Clos de la Dioterie is a bit more powerfully built. The bouquet on the Clos du Chêne Vert is a stellar mélange of dark berries, smoke, graphite, herb tones, a brilliant base of soil and a delicate topnote of violet. On the palate the wine is deep, full, suave and focused, with a great core of fruit, very fine-grained tannins that structurally recall the best of Burgundy in 2005, bright acids, and a very long, complex finish of great grip and tang. This too will be a superb bottle of Chinon with proper bottle age, and it will be quite enjoyable to follow this and the Clos de la Dioterie over the next three or four decades. Drink between 2015-2050. 94+    Review Date: 08/2007