2023 Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec, Loire Valley

The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I'm very encouraged by the results.

93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW vinous.com

This stunning dry Vouvray has such an exciting energy on the simultaneously focused and creamy medium-bodied palate. I love the juicy core, then the way the wet stone character builds to an impressive intensity in the long, precise finish. Still really youthful and with great aging potential.

94 points Stuart Pigott jamessuckling.com

Le Haut-Lieu was the estate’s first vineyard, purchased in 1928. Situated on the Première Côte, it’s a nine-hectare plot on deep brown chalky clay (known as aubuis). The yellow limestone (tuffeau) bedrock lies up to four metres down, making for a richer soil that produces round, supple wines that drink very well young. It generally produces the earliest-maturing of the three cuvées and is usually ready to drink first, but, like Clos du Bourg and Le Mont, the wines can be extremely long-lived. We have enjoyed bottles from the ’40s that are still drinking very well!

Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec is a benchmark dry Chenin Blanc from one of the Loire Valley’s most revered producers. Founded in 1928, Domaine Huet has become synonymous with Vouvray and the extraordinary versatility of Chenin Blanc. The Le Haut-Lieu vineyard, the original parcel acquired by Gaston Huet, consistently produces wines of freshness, elegance, and energy, showcasing the estate’s commitment to biodynamic viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking.

The Le Haut-Lieu vineyard is located on the plateau above the village of Vouvray, where the deep, rich clay-limestone soils give the wine its signature roundness and accessibility. This terroir, coupled with the Loire Valley’s cool climate and proximity to the river, creates ideal conditions for Chenin Blanc to ripen slowly, balancing natural acidity with intense flavor concentration.

Winemaking at Domaine Huet reflects their focus on purity and expression of terroir. The grapes are hand-harvested in several passes to ensure optimal ripeness and quality. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tanks and large oak demi-muids. The wine is aged on fine lees, which enhances its texture and complexity while preserving its bright, fresh character.

In the glass, Le Haut-Lieu Sec shows a pale gold color with green highlights. The nose is vibrant and expressive, offering aromas of ripe pear, crisp apple, white peach, and citrus zest, alongside subtle floral notes of acacia and a touch of chalky minerality. On the palate, it is dry and medium-bodied, with a harmonious balance of juicy orchard fruit, refreshing acidity, and a distinctive mineral edge. The finish is long and precise, leaving a lingering impression of freshness and finesse.

This wine is exceptionally food-friendly and pairs beautifully with dishes like grilled fish, pan-seared scallops, roast chicken, or creamy risotto. Its natural acidity also complements tangy goat cheese, fresh oysters, and lightly spiced vegetable dishes. While delicious in its youth, Le Haut-Lieu Sec has the structure and acidity to age gracefully for 5-10 years, developing richer textures and deeper complexity over time.