2005 Chinon l'Huisserie

A young vines (but severely-cropped) addition to the Alliet line-up from its previous vintage, the 2005 Chinon L’Huisserie – being raised in a combination of new demi-muids and seasoned barriques – offers impressive promise. A narcissus-like, nose-wrinkling florality and ripe black fruit aromatic suggestions lead to a fine-grained, juicy, elegantly-balanced palate and impressively lingering black raspberry, musk, and cassis finishing flavors. It has been just over twenty years since Philippe Alliet consolidated his family’s properties, and he has built one of the region’s finest reputations while personally remaining remarkably reclusive. (I tasted with Alliet’s wife, who took pains to explain that no offense was intended by her husband’s absence in his vineyards.) A Daniel Johnnes Selection, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300. Also imported by Beaune Imports, Berkeley, CA 94708; tel. (510) 559-1040