Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 1ère Trie 2020

Wine description for Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 1ère Trie 2020 by Huet

Colour & Appearance

A clear, bright golden yellow that reflects the ripe power of the warm vintage in the glass.

Nose

The wine exudes a dense, highly concentrated aromatic profile. Ripe notes of pears, apples and juicy quince mingle with nuances of fresh mushrooms. With a little air, multi-layered tones of oranges, dried herbs, light tobacco, chalk and exotic persimmon emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this Chenin Blanc initially appears opulent, full-bodied and of an incredibly silky, sensual texture. This initial richness is instantly countered by a lively, cutting acidity that provides a magnificent freshness to the rich, yellow fruit. The interplay of delicate sweetness and salty nuances of salted almonds and preserved lemons ensures an enormous drinkability.

Finish

A gripping, long-lasting finish, carried by the chalky freshness of the soil and endowed with enormous ageing potential for the coming decades.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the historical cradle of the estate, the Le Haut-Lieu vineyard site in Vouvray (Loire). The vines are grown on the Vouvray plateau on deep brown clay, interspersed with some flint and chalk in the topsoil (locally called aubuis). The underlying yellow tuffeau limestone bedrock begins at around four metres.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Made from 100% Chenin Blanc. 2020 brought a very early start to the harvest from 7 September. For the noble sweet “Première Trie” (71 g/l residual sugar), the first berries affected by noble rot (botrytis) were extremely meticulously selected by hand. Fermentation was spontaneous, and ageing took place in used demi-muids in the cool, historic rock cellars of the estate.

Food Pairings

Outstanding with exotic ceviche with octopus, meagre, mango and papaya, with steamed banana blossom with coconut rice and mango or as a dessert pairing with a classic mirabelle plum tart with saffron ice cream and orange zest.

Special Features

Domaine Huet has been working biodynamically since the late 1980s and has been a proud holder of the Demeter certification since 1993. This legendary cuvée is only produced in exceptional years when the weather allows for the perfect development of botrytis.