Domaine Philippe Alliet Chinon 'Vieilles Vignes' 2022
(Loire Valley) - [WA 93] [JS 91] [VM 91]

About the Winery:
Domaine Alliet has been run by Philippe Alliet and his wife Claude since 1978. The vines of the 17-hectare estate, mainly composed of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, are planted in the communes of Chinon and Cravant-les-Coteaux and some of them are 70 years old. The estate has superb plots of land in ideal location, including the sloping hillside of Noiré, on clay-limestone soil facing south. Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, they believe that wine should taste good whether it’s young or aged for ten years. They have made the some of the best quality wines of the appellation by avoiding chemical treatments, plowing the vineyards regularly, and by limiting the yields substantially to an incredibly low 28 hl/ha. Philippe Alliet works in integrated pest management with particular importance given to yield control.

About this Wine:
From vines over 25 years old planted mid-slope in soils that are composed of clay and sand. Aged in neutral barrels and tank, this beautifully balanced Cabernet Franc has a dark, brooding nose of plums, minerals and some berries. Fairly thick on the palate, the ripe tannins are quite present, but also coated by a fairly large dose of red fruit. Good acidity and fresh minerals on the finish keeps you coming back for more.