Le Mont Moelleux 2020

Le Mont is situated above the tufa caves and to the east of the Huet vineyard on the first plateau of Vouvray, the so-called Première Côte, and faces south. It is mentioned as early as the 15th century and has been highly appreciated since then. Like the other two vineyards, Le Mont, with its nine hectares, is the sole property of the Huet estate and was acquired by Gaston Huet in 1957 as the last of the three vineyards. It is characterised by the topsoil, several metres deep, of a pebbly flint, sometimes the size of a fist, which is there perron is called, in deep green clay. The base is the usual Turonian tuff limestone. 

The harvest took place in 2020 between 7 September and 25 September. As the vintage was strongly characterised by sun and warmth, mainly residually sweet wines were produced. As usual, the grapes were meticulously sorted, pressed and spontaneously fermented. Malolactic fermentation took place only in exceptional cases and in individual barrels. The wine was aged in used demi-muids. Moelleux for Huet means between 45 and 55 grams of residual sweetness. In this case, it is 49 grams.

intense straw yellow

The 2020 Le Mont Moelleux is fresh and lively, fine, elegant and timeless. The complex bouquet starts with yellow and green apples, lemons, limequats and grapefruits including zests as well as some slightly exotic notes of papaya and just ripened pineapple. There are also subtle notes of curry leaves and apple peel. On top of this lies the for Le Mont so typical scent of crushed quartz rock.

On the palate the 2020 Le Mont Moelleux concentrated and complex right from the start. The 49 grams of sweetness are noticeable, but are wonderfully integrated into the lively acidity and the dancing minerality. The Moelleux has an astonishing amount of grip and a clear phenolic, plus ripe fruit, some tart orange notes and a fascinating mix of flint and salt that remains present until the very last corner of the long finish. Of course, the wine is only at the beginning of its development, which will easily last for two decades. But in the balance that the Chenin Blanc offers, it is already fantastic.