Philippe Alliet

History of Domaine Philippe Alliet

The history of Domaine Philippe Alliet dates back to 1978 when Philippe and his wife Claude took over the family estate located in Cravant-les-Coteaux, in the very heart of the Chinon appellation. However, the Alliet family's winemaking heritage spans several generations, with Philippe's grandparents beginning to cultivate vines in this region in the early 20th century. 

In 1985, Philippe Alliet officially succeeded his father and uncle, with a clear ambition: to elevate Chinon wines to a quality level comparable to that of Bordeaux First Growth. A visionary, Philippe quickly made major changes, including introducing single-vineyard vinifications and adopting a sustainable approach in the vineyards. Since 2005, he has been supported by his son Pierre, ensuring the family's continuity in crafting their wines. 

Today, the estate covers 17 hectares and has established itself as one of the best producers in the region, thanks to a constant pursuit of excellence and innovation. The unique style of Alliet wines, characterised by their depth, concentration, and freshness, marked a turning point for the Chinon appellation in the 1990s.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Philippe Alliet

Domaine Philippe Alliet benefits from exceptional terroirs, spread across the communes of Chinon and Cravant-les-Coteaux. The estate’s 17 hectares of vines are primarily made up of Cabernet Franc, the king grape of the Chinon appellation, with a small one-hectare plot dedicated to Chenin Blanc, which is rare in this region.

The estate’s most prestigious plots are located on clay-limestone slopes, particularly the renowned Noiré hillside, which is south-facing and offers ideal conditions for producing wines of great elegance and remarkable complexity. Other parcels are found on clay-siliceous soils, enhancing the wines' mineral expression.

Philippe Alliet and his family have chosen organic farming, definitively banning herbicides and chemical fertilisers. The harvest is done manually to ensure that the grapes are picked at optimal ripeness. Yields are intentionally limited to 28 hl/ha, resulting in wines with concentrated aromas and harmonious structure.

Vinifications at Domaine Philippe Alliet

The winemaking process at Domaine Philippe Alliet is meticulously orchestrated to respect the fruit’s integrity and fully express the characteristics of each terroir. Particular attention is paid to every stage, from harvest to ageing, with the goal of producing wines of great purity and perfect balance.

The grapes, which are entirely destemmed, undergo a long fermentation, lasting up to five weeks. During this time, light punch-downs are carried out to gradually extract aromas and tannins. The wines are then aged in a combination of barrels and concrete vats, preserving the fruit's freshness while adding complexity. Since 2010, Bordeaux barrels have been replaced by 500-litre casks, with a reduced proportion of new wood (about 10% for some cuvées), ensuring a softer and more precise maturation.

The estate's cellars, carved into tuffeau hills, provide ideal conditions for ageing the wines, with naturally regulated temperatures. This allows the wines to develop structure and complexity while maintaining the freshness that is the signature of Chinon wines.

The Cuvées of Domaine Philippe Alliet

Domaine Philippe Alliet produces a range of red wines made from 100% Cabernet Franc, as well as a rare cuvée of Chenin Blanc. Each cuvée reflects the richness of the estate’s terroirs and the Alliet family’s expertise.

Chinon Tradition Red: The estate's entry-level cuvée, made from vines planted on gravelly and sandy soils. This wine offers a lovely expression of Cabernet Franc with red fruit aromas and a supple texture. It is accessible when young while having good ageing potential.  

Chinon Vieilles Vignes Red: Made from vines aged 40 to 70 years, this cuvée is aged in concrete vats. It stands out for its aromatic concentration, with notes of dark fruits and a beautiful tannic complexity.  

Chinon L’Huisserie Red: This wine comes from young vines planted on clay-siliceous soils. Aged in 500-litre casks (with 10% new wood), it displays intense red fruit aromas, an elegant structure, and great finesse.

Chinon Coteau de Noiré Red: The estate’s flagship cuvée, the Coteau de Noiré, comes from a south-facing clay-limestone terroir. Aged in demi-muids with 30% new wood, it offers incredible concentration, a velvety texture, and great ageing potential.  

Chinon White: Made from the rare Chenin Blanc grape, this dry white wine is produced in very small quantities. It stands out for its aromatic richness, tension, and minerality, making it highly sought after by lovers of Loire Valley white wines.

Here are some interesting vintages to discover from the Chinon appellation: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014...

For lovers of fine Chinon wines, other estates are also worth a visit. Here is a selection of renowned producers who, like Domaine Philippe Alliet, are distinguished by the quality of their wines, such as Domaine Bernard Baudry, Charles Joguet, Domaine du Collier, Antoine Sanzay, Alain et Jérôme Lenoir…

Domaine Philippe Alliet, located at the heart of the Chinon appellation, embodies the excellence of Loire Valley wines. Thanks to meticulous vineyard management, precise vinification, and an environmentally respectful philosophy, the cuvées produced by Philippe Alliet, his wife Claude, and their son Pierre are known for their depth, elegance, and exceptional ageing potential. Whether for immediate tasting or cellar ageing, Domaine Philippe Alliet wines are undoubtedly among the finest Chinon wines and deserve a special place in your wine cellar.