Charles Jouget, Chinon (Loire Valley, France) 2009

 This is a spectacular wine from a legendary vintage.  The aromas are more savory than fruity with notes of gravelly minerals, pencil shavings and aromatic herbs.  In the mouth it opens up with   ripe juicy black currant, blackberry, violet tinged fruits sparked with nervy acidity.  Its balance of layered, intense, ripe fruit and fine grained tannins bodes well for the long term, but it’s a pleasure to drink now. The Clos du Chene Vert vineyard, one of the most respected in Chinon, is named for the old green oak tree at the top of the steeply sloped vineyard.