Philippe Alliet Chinon Coteau de Noire 2014

Alcohol: 14%

Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Franc

Localization: Touraine, Loire, France

Tasting Notes: This wine is widely considered by critics to be in the pantheon of Chinon wines; the nose is full and complex with notes of dark fruit, fresh coffee beans, subtle vanilla and pepper. The taste is full bodied and refined with firm tannins. This amazing wine could be cellared for more than ten years. However, you can drink this wine sooner by decanting for 45 minutes before serving.

Notes: The Coteau de Noiré is the top cuvée of Domaine Alliet. The grapes originate from a single plot of vineyard, ideally located on the slope of the Chinon hill. The grapes ripen perfectly in this south facing vineyard. 

The total size of the Vineyards is 17 Hectares and this special vineyard is 40 years old 3 hectares which produces 9,000 bottles with Organic viticulture

Food Pairing: It can be paired with game dishes, beef stew and strong cheeses. 

The Domain: Father-son team Philippe and Pierre Alliet are the proprietors of this small domaine in Cravant-les-Côteaux, home to some of the best Cabernet Franc vineyards in the Loire Valley. Considered by many to be one of the finest producers in Chinon, the Alliets are part of a new generation of Loire winemakers dedicated to low yields, optimally ripe fruit, and fastidious vineyard management. From their 30 acres domaine, they produce a stunning lineup of 100% Cabernet Franc wines: a basic Chinon of great purity and balance; 'Vieilles Vignes' a gravel-grown cuvée from 60+ year-old vines that is aged in cement; 'L’Huisserie' that is grown on a south-facing limestone laden slope and aged in 500L barrels; and 'Côteau de Noire' aged in barriques and grown on a famed steep site, known as one of the top single-vineyards in all of Chinon.

Across the range, the grapes are totally de-stemmed in an effort to reduce the vegetal characteristics often associated with Loire Valley reds and only indigenous yeasts are used in the cellar. Each year, this domaine raises the bar for what is possible with Cabernet Franc in Chinon. They effortlessly display the privileged terroir and winemaking excellence that their family possesses, while also maintaining a deliciousness that allows the wines to be enjoyed young or after decades of aging. This is a true top-flight, and benchmark estate.