2016 Dm du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux, Loire Valley

 (130 grm rs)

2016 Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Moelleux from the Loire Valley is a breathtaking example of Chenin Blanc’s ability to express both purity and richness in perfect harmony. Crafted by Philippe Foreau, one of the great masters of Vouvray, this Moelleux captures the balance of sweetness, freshness, and mineral tension that defines the finest Loire dessert wines. The 2016 vintage, marked by small yields and excellent late-season ripening, produced fruit of extraordinary concentration and vibrancy — ideal for this luscious yet finely structured style.

The grapes come from old vines rooted in tuffeau limestone soils on the plateau above the village of Vouvray. These deep, chalky soils retain moisture and reflect light, allowing Chenin Blanc to ripen slowly and develop its hallmark acidity and perfume. Botrytis and passerillage contribute to the wine’s luscious texture and honeyed complexity. Fermentation occurs naturally in large old oak barrels using indigenous yeasts, and the wine is aged on its lees to build depth and silkiness without losing precision.

In the glass it glows deep golden yellow. The aroma is captivating, with layers of quince, baked apple, apricot and honeycomb interwoven with ginger, lanolin and hints of chalky mineral. The palate is rich and unctuous yet impeccably balanced, offering ripe orchard and tropical fruit offset by vivid acidity and a fine, saline edge. There’s remarkable tension between sweetness and freshness, leading to a long, crystalline finish with notes of citrus peel and beeswax.

It’s exquisite with foie gras, blue cheese, roasted pear tart, or Thai curries where sweetness complements spice. It also pairs beautifully with soft cheeses or as a contemplative wine on its own. Though stunning now, it has the structure to evolve for decades — 30 years or more — gaining complexity and developing honeyed, nutty depth over time.