Le Haut-Lieu sec 2022

Wine Description for Le Haut-Lieu sec 2022 by Huet

Colour & Appearance

Medium straw yellow with brilliant clarity – a Chenin Blanc that visually emphasises its youth and freshness.

Nose

Captivating floral nose with wild roses and hibiscus, underpinned by precise notes of apple and pear with subtle skin freshness. Reminiscent of homemade iced tea with peach – complex yet playfully light, a combination that only great Chenin Blanc achieves.

Palate

Sensuous and silky, with remarkable density alongside elegance. The fruit moves between white-fleshed stone fruit and tree fruit, complemented by subtle nuances of wax and tobacco. The acidity is perfectly integrated, the alcohol of 13.5% entirely unobtrusive. Characteristic of Haut-Lieu: the fine, peppery bitterness of citrus zest and herbs with hints of green nuts. A delicate salinity and chalky minerality lend the wine tension and drinkability.

Finish

Elegant and persistent with a fine acidity arc that entices you to the next sip. The mineral imprint of the terroir lingers long.

Terroir & Origin

Le Haut-Lieu is the founding vineyard site of the Huet estate from 1928, situated on the Vouvray plateau. Five hectares on deep brown clay with flint and chalk in the topsoil (locally called Aubuis), beneath which lies four metres of the characteristic yellow Tuffeau limestone.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chenin Blanc, farmed biodynamically. The exceptionally early harvest began on 8 September 2022 and lasted six weeks – a record in the estate’s history. Spontaneous fermentation, maturation in used Demi-Muids, minimal intervention. Residual sugar: 5.6 g/l.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Langoustine with saffron beurre blanc, wild salmon sashimi, vegetable tempura with mild soy sauce, but also simply with goat’s cheese or scallops.

Special Features

The 2022 is already accessible and seductive now, yet possesses the potential for decades of development – typical of great Vouvray. A few bottles should definitely remain in the cellar.