Charles Joguet, Cabernet Franc, Chinon Rosé, Loire Valley, France 2022

This is serious rosé. You’ve got that trademark explosive fruit and Cabernet Franc spice and big, round body followed by the most thirst-quenching finish. This rosé is made by direct press (as soon as the grapes arrive in the cellar, they are de-stemmed and pressed — this method extracts aromas without too much color, resulting in pale rosés). The wine undergoes long, slow fermentations at cooler temperatures in stainless steel. It does not undergo malolactic fermentation, a choice made to keep the freshness of the grapes.