Domaine Philippe Alliet is a highly regarded winery in Cravant-les-Côteaux, located in the heart of the Chinon appellation in the Loire Valley. Established in 1985 by Philippe Alliet, the domaine is now managed by his son, Pierre, who has introduced innovative practices to revolutionize the production of Cabernet Franc wines. 

 

The winery began as a family affair when Claude and Philippe Alliet took over from Philippe's father in 1983. Today, the tradition continues with Pierre Alliet, who works alongside his father, Philippe, and grandfather, Claude. The family has consistently focused on enhancing the quality of their vineyards and wines, passing down their extensive knowledge and expertise through the generations. 

The Domaine spans 19 hectares of organically farmed vineyards. The soils in Chinon are diverse, featuring alluvial terraces of gravel and sand along the Vienne River, limestone and yellow tuffeau soils on the hills, and flinty clays and sand on the plateau. This complex terroir contributes to the distinctive character of their wines. 

Domaine Philippe Alliet emphasizes sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture practices. The family meticulously manages their vineyards to maintain low yields, resulting in concentrated flavors. They use only indigenous yeasts and de-stem all grapes to reduce vegetal characteristics. During winemaking, the grapes undergo a long maceration process with gentle punch-downs to extract flavors and tannins slowly. The wines are aged in a combination of barrels and tanks for up to 18 months, with new oak usage kept to a minimum (down from 100% new 225L barrels to 20% new 500L barrels). This approach ensures the wines are approachable when young yet have great aging potential. The ancient cellars, carved into the tuffeau hillsides, provide a naturally temperature-controlled environment ideal for aging the wines. 

The domaine produces a range of 100% Cabernet Franc wines and a rare Chenin Blanc cuvée. Their red wines include: 

- Vieilles Vignes: Sourced from 60+ year-old vines grown on gravel, this cuvée is aged in cement, showcasing concentrated flavors. 

- L’Huisserie: Grown on a south-facing limestone-laden slope, this wine is aged in 500L barrels, demonstrating depth and complexity. 

Conclusion 

Domaine Philippe Alliet stands out for its dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainable practices. Their wines, known for their depth, concentration, and balance, are highly regarded and reflect the unique terroir of Chinon. The family’s commitment to excellence ensures that Domaine Philippe Alliet remains a benchmark for Cabernet Franc wines in the Loire Valley.