If there is one thing the A.O.C.Chinon is known for, it is red wines. This area, located in the Loire Valley, in central France, is home to red wines made from a leading variety: Cabernet Franc. 95% of the area’s production is dedicated exclusively to red wine, while the remaining 5% is shared between rosé and white wine, and within these categories, as you would expect, there are different qualities to be found. These wines are at the pinnacle of excellence. Philippe Alliet and his son Pierre, from the village of Cravant-les Côteaux, produce Domaine Philippe Alliet Coteau Noiré.
The grapes used by this father and son team are grown on 18 hectares located in this village, very close to the Vienne River. With the exception of one plot planted with Chenin, the land is planted with Cabernet Franc, which is cultivated following the principles of organic agriculture (avoiding chemical products). Domaine Philippe Alliet Coteau Noiré, comes from a plot of the same name, growing 30-year-old vines planted on a shallow, steeply sloping, clayey and calcareous soil.
Obviously, the grapes are harvested by hand, and destemming is also a key stage in the production of Domaine Philippe Alliet Coteau Noiré. In principle, the father and son team made this decision believing that the stems bring greenness and astringency to the wines. Finally, following fermentation, Domaine Philippe Alliet Coteau Noiré spends 12 months in French oak barrels (25% of which are new).