1995 Chinon Clos de la Dioterie

Joguet, a rugged looking vigneron with a brutal sense of humor, makes, in my opinion, Chinon's finest wines. The four cuvees of red Chinon range from very good to outstanding. The provocative 1995 Clos de la Dioterie Vieilles Vignes offers up a soaring nose of herbs, tomatoes, pepper, leather, smoke, and red and black fruits. It explodes in the mouth with layers of silky richness, medium body, admirable fruit purity, and enough light tannin to ensure 10-15 years of longevity. Can readers believe my enthusiasm for these red Loire Valley wines? As a vociferous critic of this region's red wines, I can adamantly state, these wines are the real thing! This wine was tasted in May, 1997. Kermit Lynch's wines are available throughout the United States, with the import label "Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, California." Kermit Lynch's address is 1605 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA 94702; tel. (510) 524-1524, fax (510) 528-7026. In France, the Kermit Lynch office is located in Beaune; tel. 011 33 3 80 24 70 96; fax 011 33 3 80 24 18 64.