Domaine HUET - Le Haut Lieu - Demi-Sec 2022
Domaine Huet, located in Vouvray in the Loire Valley, is considered one of the absolute references for Chenin Blanc. Founded in 1928 by Victor Huet and his son Gaston, the estate now covers about 35 hectares spread over three historic terroirs of the appellation: Le Haut-Lieu, Le Mont, and Le Clos du Bourg. This emblematic property has greatly contributed to the international reputation of the great wines of Vouvray thanks to a precise and nuanced interpretation of Chenin Blanc according to the terroirs and winemaking styles. For several decades, the vineyard has been managed using biodynamic agriculture, preserving the natural balance of the soils and accurately expressing the personality of the parcels. The estate thus produces dry, semi-dry, sweet, and liquorous wines recognized for their purity, finesse, and exceptional aging potential. The Haut-Lieu terroir, a historic parcel at the very origin of the estate, occupies a plateau overlooking the valley and is distinguished by its deep brown clay soils resting on tuffeau limestone. This terroir gives the wines a particularly elegant expression that is accessible in their youth while maintaining remarkable aging potential.
The Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Demi-Sec 2022 is made exclusively from Chenin Blanc from this historic terroir. The vines, cultivated biodynamically, are hand-harvested to select perfectly ripe grapes. After gentle pressing, fermentation occurs naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts, preserving the terroir's identity and the purity of the fruit. The wine is then aged for several months on fine lees in tanks and demi-muids, which adds complexity and texture while maintaining the natural freshness of the grape variety. The 2022 vintage, marked by warm climatic conditions and homogeneous grape ripeness, offers a particularly successful balance between aromatic richness and mineral tension. With about 18 g/l of residual sugars, this semi-dry wine perfectly expresses the typical balance of great Vouvray wines, where the natural sweetness of Chenin Blanc harmonizes with vibrant acidity.
On the palate, this Vouvray reveals an expressive nose blending aromas of ripe pear, yellow peach, quince, and white flowers, complemented by nuances of fine honey, candied citrus, and fresh almond. The mouthfeel is ample and silky, supported by a beautiful tension that perfectly balances the wine's sweetness. The texture is both generous and precise, with a subtle minerality from the limestone terroir that brings depth and length. The finish, long and elegant, reveals delicate honeyed notes and persistent freshness. This semi-dry Vouvray will ideally accompany foie gras, lightly spiced Asian cuisine, poultry in sauce, or certain aged goat cheeses. Thanks to the remarkable balance between sweetness and acidity typical of Chenin Blanc, this wine also has excellent aging potential that can exceed fifteen years.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
