Le Mont demi-sec 2023

Wine Description for Le Mont demi-sec 2023 from Huet

Colour & Appearance

Intense straw yellow with brilliant clarity – a wine that reveals its concentration and maturity at first glance.

Nose

Seductive and surprisingly accessible for a Le Mont. The bouquet unfolds with blossom honey, yellow apples and quinces, alongside white currants and a hint of caramel. Smoky notes alternate with fresh mint and verbena – a fascinating combination of depth and elegance that typically only appears after years of bottle ageing.

Palate

Here Huet’s mastery reveals itself: the 20 grammes of residual sugar are practically invisible, perfectly integrated into the racy acidity of Chenin Blanc. Precise, tension-filled and dense, yet with astonishing lightness. The balance between dark-spicy elements and white blossoms is flawless. What impresses: despite all its complexity, the wine feels playful, almost moreish, with a mouth-watering salinity that entices the next sip.

Finish

Long, mineral and fading with a fine honey note. The acid structure carries far and leaves a fresh, vibrant impression.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard Le Mont lies on the Première Côte of Vouvray, south-facing, above the characteristic tuffeau caves. Already documented in the 15th century, it rests on several metres of topsoil with flinty perron (flint) and deep green clay over Turonian tuffeau limestone. These nine hectares in sole ownership were acquired in 1957 by Gaston Huet as the last of the three legendary vineyards.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chenin Blanc, spontaneously fermented and matured in used demi-muids. 2023 required rigorous selection due to spotted wing drosophila – at least 25% of the harvest was discarded, each berry individually inspected. Multiple picking passes, meticulous sorting, only selective malolactic fermentation. A Herculean effort that pays off.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Foie gras, scallops with saffron sauce, roasted monkfish, Comté or aged goat’s cheese. Also excellent with tarte Tatin or blue cheese.

Special Features

A demi-sec that is already accessible in its youth – a rarity for Huet. Nevertheless: ageing potential of 20+ years. A magnificent vintage despite challenging conditions.