Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec 2023 Domaine Huet | Loire

Domaine Huet 'sdry Vouvray Le Haut Lieu is a pure, luminous expression of Chenin in the Loire, from the estate's original parcel, planted in 1928. Situated on the valley's first terrace, to the west of the Vouvray appellation, Le Haut-Lieu rests on a brown clay soil over tuffeau and flint, giving the wine a supple structure and well-balanced tension. In the heart of this setting, the Chenin grape reveals all its aromatic purity: the historic plot of Le Haut-Lieu benefits from a temperate microclimate that allows perfect ripeness, resulting in a wine that is dry, elegant and ready to be enjoyed from its earliest youth. The nine hectares are biodynamically farmed, hand harvested in several passages to respect the precise ripeness of each bunch. Fermentation is carefully balanced between stainless steel vats and demi-muids, followed by six months' ageing designed to preserve the wine's mineral structure and aromatic clarity.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Domaine Huet impresses with the consistency and quality of its wines. Haut Lieu sec stands out for its crystalline precision and delicate vivacity. The Chenin here plays the transparency card: fruity, sharp, sophisticated without artifice. It's a luminous wine, where balance rhymes with gourmandise, already pleasing while promising good ageing potential.

This Vouvray expresses itself with intensity on fresh aromas of Williams pear and green apple, mingled with light lemon zest and notes of wet stone. Blossoms of acacia and honeysuckle add finesse and elegance. The whole is punctuated by a hint of fresh ginger, which adds relief without excess. The minerality of the terroir comes through on slightly smoky notes at the back of the nose.

On the palate, the attack is full of energy, lifted by a clean, pure acidity that forms the backbone of the wine. The liveliness of finely balanced candied citrus and tart pear gradually gives way to flinty notes and delicately bitter accents. The long, elegant finish leaves a salivating impression.