Domaine de la Chapelle, Chinon, Les Joueurs, 2024
Domaine de la Chapelle, Chinon, Les Joueurs, 2024
- 75cl
- 12.5%
- Red Still
- Cabernet Franc
- Organic
- Biodynamic
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2030
Domaine de la Chapelle has crafted a charming Loire red that captures everything we love about young Chinon. Les Joueurs – 'The Players' – is pure Cabernet Franc from the sandy-clay slopes above the Vienne, where the grape finds its most expressive voice without the weight of the region's more serious cuvées.
This 2024 vintage shows the variety's signature red fruit and herbal complexity, with enough structure to satisfy but not so much that you need to wait. We find it perfectly pitched between freshness and depth, drinking beautifully now until 2030.
This 2024 vintage is drinking at peak freshness right now, with vibrant primary fruit and herbal character taking centre stage. Over the next two years, expect the red fruit to soften slightly whilst mineral and earthy secondary characteristics become more prominent. By 2028-2030, the wine will show more integration between fruit and structure, though it may lose some of its youthful exuberance. This isn't a wine built for long ageing – drink it whilst the fruit remains bright and the acidity keeps everything lively.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBright ruby red with violet highlights around the rim.
NoseFresh red cherry and raspberry leap from the glass, followed by dried herbs, pencil shavings, and a touch of violet. There's an appealing earthy undertone that speaks to the Loire's mineral soils. The aromatics are clean and vibrant, with no oak to mask the fruit.
PalateMedium-bodied with excellent balance between fruit and acidity. The red cherry character from the nose carries through, joined by cranberry and subtle green pepper. Soft tannins provide gentle structure without overwhelming the fruit, whilst bright acidity keeps everything fresh and food-friendly. The sandy terroir shows in the wine's immediate approachability.
FinishClean and mineral-driven with persistent red fruit and a hint of graphite.
Overall impressionA textbook young Chinon that delivers pure Cabernet Franc character with charm and immediacy.
Food Pairings
In the Loire Valley, this style of Chinon would be the natural partner for rillettes de Tours – the local potted pork that's a regional speciality. The wine's bright acidity cuts through the rich, fatty meat beautifully. Locals would also enjoy it with goat's cheese from nearby Crottin de Chavignol, where the herbal character of the wine complements the tang of the cheese. Game birds like partridge or guinea fowl, simply roasted with herbs, make another classic pairing, as does the region's river fish prepared with beurre blanc.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve lightly chilled at 14-16°C to emphasise the fresh fruit character and mineral backbone. No need to decant – this wine is all about immediate charm and primary fruit expression. A standard Burgundy bowl or universal wine glass will work perfectly, though avoid anything too large that might dissipate the delicate aromatics.
Les Joueurs comes from sandy-clay soils on the gentle slopes overlooking the Vienne River. These well-drained soils warm quickly in spring, encouraging early ripening whilst retaining enough moisture to prevent stress during summer. The sandy component gives the wine its immediate charm and approachability, whilst the clay provides structure and mineral backbone.
Chinon sits at the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers, where Cabernet Franc has found its spiritual home in France. The appellation encompasses three distinct soil types: sandy riverside plots that produce charming, early-drinking wines; sandy-clay slopes for balanced, medium-term wines; and limestone plateaux for the most structured, age-worthy cuvées. Unlike Bourgueil across the Loire, Chinon tends toward elegance over power.
We're still learning what 2024 gave us in the Loire, but the early signs are promising. The growing season brought its share of drama — a challenging spring that kept vignerons on their toes, followed by a summer that delivered just enough sunshine without tipping into the punishing heat that can flatten the region's trademark freshness. Harvest timing varied considerably across the valley's sprawling length, with producers picking earlier than usual in some appellations while others waited for that final push of ripeness.
What we're tasting shows wines with lovely energy and balance, particularly from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé where the Sauvignon Blanc has that mineral backbone we adore without the green aggression of cooler years. The Chenin Blanc from Vouvray and the Coteaux du Layon seems to have found its sweet spot between richness and acidity, while early tastings of Chinon suggest the Cabernet Franc has real potential for structured, age-worthy reds. Most 2024s are drinking beautifully now with their youthful vibrancy intact, though we suspect the better examples will reward patience over the next three to five years.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Fresh and bright with red cherry, herbs, and soft tannins. It's classic Loire Cabernet Franc with immediate charm and mineral backbone.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect right now through 2030. This isn't a wine that needs cellaring – it's all about youthful fruit and freshness.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with goat's cheese, charcuterie, roast chicken, or salmon. The bright acidity makes it very food-friendly.
Should I decant this wine?
No need to decant. Serve lightly chilled at 14-16°C in a standard wine glass to enjoy the fresh fruit character.
How does this compare to other Loire reds?
This is classic Chinon style – more elegant than Bourgueil, with sandy terroir giving immediate approachability rather than the structure of limestone-based cuvées.
Is this wine good value?
Absolutely. It delivers everything you want from young Chinon – pure Cabernet Franc character, food-friendliness, and drink-now pleasure without demanding cellar investment.
OUR GROWERS
Domaine de la Chapelle
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