Chinon "Coteau de Noire", Philippe Alliet 2019

The 2019 Chinon Coteau de Noiré comes from one of the finest vineyard sites in Chinon. A "grand cru," if you will, it is south-facing and very steep (45% slope!). The soils are chalky limestone and clay. This top cuvée from Alliet sees time in barrel, of which a portion is new.

The wine can take the new oak as this is a dark, inky, concentrated Cabernet Franc. Voluptuous and rich, you can easily cellar this wine for a decade or more. However, if you are not that patient, simply give it a 45-minute decant before serving. Gorgeous!