Domaine Philippe Alliet - Chinon Coteau de Noiré 2024

Now more than ever, the Domaine des Alliet—Claude, Philippe, and their son Pierre—stands as one of the Loire Valley’s leading estates, dedicated to crafting great Cabernet Franc wines. The new generation has moved away from overly assertive aging styles, and the wines are gaining in refinement while still young, yet retain great structure over time. The Coteau-de-Noiré, grown on a south-facing clay-limestone terroir, stands out for its aging potential and its nuanced intensity.

The unassuming Claude and Philippe Alliet pioneered a new style in Chinon in the 1990s. Their Vieilles Vignes wines (gravel soils, 70- to 90-year-old vines, aged 18 months in concrete tanks), L’Huisserie (upper hillside and flint-clay plateau), and above all Coteau de Noiré (a steep, south-facing clay-limestone slope), have captivated Cabernet Franc enthusiasts with their deep color and incredible density. But there is no set formula for Philippe Alliet, a discerning taster and outstanding winemaker, who has been supported by his son, Pierre, since 2005; Pierre helps him craft wines that are ever deeper and more refined. Starting in 2010, Bordeaux-style barrels were phased out in favor of 500-liter casks, and the proportion of new oak was significantly reduced.