Le Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1ère Trie 1997

Wine Description for Le Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1ère Trie 1997 by Huet

Colour & Appearance

Deep golden yellow with amber-tinted reflections, indicating over two decades of maturation. In the glass, it displays remarkable viscosity with slowly flowing tears – a sign of the concentrated sweetness and extract of this noble sweet Vouvray.

Nose

A fascinating bouquet of candied quinces, honey and beeswax, underpinned by notes of dried apricots and orange marmalade. With air contact, complex tertiary aromas unfold: nuts, chamomile, a hint of saffron and the characteristic petrol note of aged Chenin Blanc. The nose reveals its biodynamic provenance through crystalline precision.

Palate

Despite the opulent sweetness, the wine never feels heavy or cloying – the razor-sharp acidity of Chenin Blanc cuts through the texture like a laser scalpel. Ripe pear, mirabelle plum and acacia honey are carried by a vibrant minerality reminiscent of wet flint. The balance between sweetness, acidity and salinity is masterful. On the palate, the full class of the Le Clos du Bourg vineyard site reveals itself.

Finish

Endlessly long with a saline minerality that resonates for minutes after swallowing. The sweetness fades surprisingly quickly, leaving a refreshing, almost dry impression with hints of ginger and white pepper.

Terroir & Origin

Le Clos du Bourg is one of three Grand Cru-worthy individual vineyard sites of Huet. The vines are rooted in the calcareous tuffeau soils of Vouvray, which impart the wine’s characteristic minerality. The „1ère Trie“ designates the first harvest of noble rot-affected grapes – a vintage that benefited from perfect botrytis conditions.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chenin Blanc, farmed biodynamically. The grapes were harvested with noble rot concentration and fermented spontaneously. The wine impressively demonstrates why Chenin Blanc ranks among the longest-lived white wine varieties in the world – structurally comparable to great Riesling, yet with its own identity.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Foie gras, Roquefort or other robust blue cheeses, Tarte Tatin, caramelised pears with vanilla ice cream, or simply on its own as a meditative indulgence.

Special Characteristics

A testament to the legendary quality of Huet and the extraordinary ageing potential of Vouvray Moelleux. At 26 years old, at the peak of its maturity, yet still capable of cellaring for decades to come.