Le Mont sec 2023

Wine description for Le Mont sec 2023 from Huet

Character

Domaine Huet in Vouvray is one of the legendary addresses in the Loire and has been synonymous with uncompromising, biodynamic viticulture for decades. The Le Mont sec comes from one of the estate's three large single vineyards - Clos du Bourg, Le Haut-Lieu or Le Mont - and epitomises the dry side of Chenin Blanc in its purest form.

With 13% alcohol, the 2023 is powerful and mature, which indicates a warm vintage. The designation “sec” is the name of the game here: dry, precise, with the characteristic tension between acidity and fruit that characterises great Chenin Blanc from Vouvray. The limestone terroir of the site gives the wine its mineral structure and enormous ageing potential.

Terroir and winemaking style

Huet has been farming consistently biodynamically since 1990 - a pioneering achievement in the region. The old vines are deeply rooted in the tufa, the porous limestone that characterises the vineyards of Vouvray and gives the wines their unmistakable minerality. Manual harvesting, natural yeasts and the renunciation of oenological tricks result in wines that reflect their origin unfiltered.

The Le Mont sec is not a wine for quick enjoyment. It needs air, time in the glass, sometimes years in the cellar. Chenin Blanc of this calibre develops over decades and gains complexity where other white wines have long since faded.

Food pairing suggestions

A wine of this structure requires appropriate accompaniment: Crayfish in butter, fried monkfish, goat's cheese from the Loire or a classic blanquette de veau. The acidity cuts through rich sauces, while the minerality emphasises delicate seafood. The wine is also surprisingly harmonious with Asian dishes with ginger and lemongrass.