Domaine Philippe Alliet Coteau Noiré 2022

Philippe Alliet and his son Pierre farm in Cravant-les-Côteaux in the Chinon appellation, in the central Loire, where Cabernet Franc accounts for the great majority of production. Coteau Noiré is their flagship red, from a steep, south facing slope of clay over limestone that gives the fullest, most structured expression of the grape. Cabernet Franc on this cooler continental site keeps a firm acidity and a savoury, leafy character alongside its dark fruit. The wine is aged for 12 months in 500 litre oak barrels, a larger format than a standard barrique that gives a gentler oxygen exchange and less overt wood, so the tannins soften and the fruit and site stay in focus. The 2022 is medium to full bodied, with cassis, red currant and dark cherry, black pepper, a graphite and earthy minerality and a fine oak frame. The tannins are firm but ripe and the finish is long and savoury. Decant briefly and serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits red meats, from roast beef to lamb.