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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
"Domaine Huet is, perhaps, Vouvray's most famous name ... No matter the site or the sweetness level, there is an ethereal and elegant quality to these wines that defies scientific analysis." - Vinous
The above quote from Rebecca Gibb of Vinous sums up almost everything you need to know about the magnificent wines of Domaine Huet. Sure, we could also mention that they have been a biodynamic pioneer since 1993, or that their wines age as well as almost any wines in the world, red or white. But at the end of the day, it's the singular character and class of the juice in the bottle that sets them apart from their contemporaries.
This latest quartet of releases from 2023 shows why the domaine is a force to be reckoned with, not only in Vouvray, but anywhere in the Loire. With more glowing acclaim to add to their already full resumé, Huet is at the pinnacle once again. No matter where you look in the range, these are easily some of the smartest buys in collectible white wine, as evidenced by the JS96 Le Mont Sec, "one of the great dry white wines of the Loire." You could also go in for the "pure, refined, seamless style" of the Le Haut-Lieu Sec or the "deep, complex, and beautifully focused" Clos du Bourg Sec, and have yourself a trio of thrilling cellar treasures that will cruise for decades. Finally, the domaine's mastery of the sweeter styles is on full display in the Le Mont Demi-Sec, which View From the Cellar's John Gilman declares is "destined to ultimately be ranked as one of the finest wines to be found anywhere along the Loire River in this vintage!"
Our parcel comes in at razor-sharp pricing that puts the already spectacular cellar appeal of these gems in even brighter light, so avid Loire enthusiasts or any collector of world-class, reference-point wines can take their collections up a notch or two. |
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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. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
94 points, Stuart Pigott, James Suckling (Oct 2024)
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, Vinous (Jul 2024)
The 2023 Vouvray “Le Haut Lieu” Sec from Domaine Huët is a classic in the making, coming in at an even thirteen percent octane in this vintage and offering up a bright and complex bouquet of quince, lemon, chalky soil tones, lanolin, white lilies and a topnote of citrus peel. On the palate the wine is pure, precise and full-bodied, with a lovely core of fruit, a fine spine of acidity, lovely focus and grip and a long, well balanced and complex finish. As is so often the case with the Sec bottlings from Domaine Huët, the 2023 Le Haut Lieu is quite open out of the blocks and is a delicious glass of wine at the present time. If history is any guide, a few years down the road it will close up for a period of hibernation before it re-emerges to drink well for another fifty years. Fine juice. 2024-2085.
93 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar
Fresh-crushed apple, quince and spice notes have an earthy dimension, with hints of roasted agave and wet soil. There's beautiful range and just enough plumpness to make this generous, yet it's held in check by a chalky mineral element and very fine tannins. Toasted almond and salted butter notes move in, with lime-edged acidity cleaning up the finish. Refined and complex. Drink now through 2037. 5,100 cases made.
92 points, Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator (Nov 2024)