Le Haut-Lieu is the original Huet vineyard. Nearly nine hectares of deep limestone-clay, the richest soils of the domaine's three crus, farmed biodynamically and picked by hand. Natural yeasts, traditional vinification, aging split between tank and large old foudres: nothing here is dressed up, just Chenin allowed to read its own dirt. This is the most approachable of Huet's crus, which is a polite way of saying it's the one that makes converts.
Winemaker Notes
Viticulture: The vines are farmed using biodynamic methods and harvested by hand. Vinification: Traditional vinification methods are used and the wines are fermented using natural yeasts. Aging: the wines are aged in a combination of tank and large, older foudres. Production: about 2000 cases. Vineyard: The estate’s first vineyard, purchased in 1928. Its nine hectares have the richest soils and, generally, yields the most precocious wines.
Tasting Notes
The original Huët vineyard is nearly 9 hA. It has the richest soils of the domaine’s three crus - a deep limestone-clay - and the wines are generally the estate’s most approachable. In some vintages, small quantities from nearby estate parcels may be added to Le Haut
Professional Ratings
93
VinousThe 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I’m very encouraged by the results. - Rebecca Gibb
About the Producer
Since its founding in 1928, Vouvray’s Domaine Huet has been the standard-bearer for great, age-worthy Chenin Blanc. And to this day, year after year, the estate produces some of the world’s most compelling white wines—and in a remarkable range that spans sparkling, dry, semi-dry, and breathtaking dessert styles. Chenin Blanc has been identified with Vouvray since at least the 9th century, and many of its great vineyards were known by the 14th century. By those standards, the 90+-year-old Huet estate is relatively young.
