Domaine Huët
Overview
Domaine Huët is the benchmark producer of Vouvray, making Chenin Blanc wines across three vineyards — Le Haut Lieu, Le Mont, and Clos du Bourg — in styles ranging from bone-dry Sec through Demi-Sec to Moelleux (sweet). The estate is biodynamically farmed. Gilman regards these wines as among the longest-lived white wines in the world; the 2008 Le Mont Demi-Sec was scored 95 points at 16 years of age, “just starting its long run of peak maturity.”
Appellations
- Vouvray — Touraine; Chenin Blanc; three vineyard monopoles plus a Pétillant sparkling cuvée
Key Wines
- Vouvray “Le Haut Lieu” Sec — most open and expressive out of the blocks; typically closes for hibernation before re-emerging for 50+ years; 2023 scored 93
- Vouvray “Le Mont” Sec — more mineral; more reticent early; better for extended cellaring than Le Haut Lieu; 2023 scored 93
- Vouvray “Clos du Bourg” Sec — most mid-palate weight of the three Secs; 2023 scored 94
- Vouvray “Le Mont” Demi-Sec — Gilman’s 2023 note: “among the finest wines to be found anywhere along the Loire River in this vintage” (95 points); throwback old school style
- Vouvray “Clos du Bourg” Demi-Sec — 2023 scored 94; slightly richer than Le Mont Demi-Sec
- Vouvray “Le Mont” Moelleux — 2023 scored 94; elegant, filigreed
- Vouvray “Clos du Bourg” Moelleux — 2023 scored 94; slightly more opulent than Le Mont
- Vouvray “Le Mont” Demi-Sec (2008) — scored 95 at 16 years; fully mature and “a marvel”
- Vouvray “Pétillant” Brut (2019) — traditional method sparkling; scored 93
Style Notes
The Huët Secs are almost always open and approachable upon release, then close for 5–10 years before re-emerging for a very long (sometimes 50–80yr) drinking window. The Demi-Secs and Moelleux can last indefinitely. Tasting sequence for 2023s: drink Le Haut Lieu Sec now or in early years; tuck Le Mont Sec and Clos du Bourg for the long haul. The 2023 vintage was exceptional for Demi-Sec and Moelleux given more balanced ripeness.
Gilman on the 2023 Le Mont Demi-Sec: “There is an old school aspect to this wine that is not found anymore in summers with more heat and drought…This is a stunning, throwback vintage.”
My Tastings
(none yet)
Sources
sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC May-June 2024 #111.txt— Annual Loire Report, Vouvray section (pages 113–117): full range of 2023s plus 2022 Sec from Pinon; 2019 Pétillant; 2008 Le Mont Demi-Sec (95)