Our rep came in yesterday to taste us on Phillipe Alliet Chinons, as well as Francois Chidaine's 06's. While the Clos Habert was fantastic, the Clos de Breuil and Clos Baudoin were corked, and I wasn't excited by the Les Tuffeaux. I'm withholding judgement until I taste these wines again. The real highlight, though, was tasting some terrific cab franc from Phillipe Alliet, 'le plus grand producteur de vins rouges de la Loire,' according to Le Revue du vin de France.2006 Phillipe Alliet Chinon
Their 'basic' cuvee is anything but - pure, classic blackberry fruit. Very pure, vivid, bright, clean cab franc blackberries and black currants here.
2005 Phillipe Alliet Chinon L'Huisserie
Alright, so I'm sneaking a couple of'05 Chinons from Mr. Alliet... Grapes from this recently purchased vineyard site had been going into the basic cuvee for the past few vintages; this is the first vintage where fruit from L'Huisserie is vinified and bottled on its own. Very rich, dense, spicy black cherry fruit doesn't sacrifice the cut and purity typical of first rate cab franc. Impressive wine.
2005 Phillipe Alliet Chinon Coteaux de Noire
The top cuvee, produced from fruit grown on south facing slopes of predominately limestone soil and aged in new oak. Its power, spiciness, density and overall heft make it one to put away and forget about for a decade. Clearly some serious wine here, though. Why buy overly extracted, over oaked 3rd growth Margaux for twice as much when you can have this??
