Domaine Huet Vouvray AOC Demi-Sec Le Haut-Lieu 2018

Domaine Huët is the standard for great, age-worthy chenin blanc from the Loire. The estate continues to produce some of the world’s most compelling white wines in a remarkable range. The domaine is 80 years old, which is young by French standards, beginning with proprietor Victor Huët settling down in Vouvray after his experiences in World War I. His son Gaston worked with him from the beginning and assumed full charge in 1937. He was joined in 1971 by his son-in-law, Noël Pinguet, and in 1979 by chef de culture Jean-Bernard Bertholmé, and together they would craft legendary wines from their three parcels—with nature dictating which grapes would become sec, demi-sec, or moelleux. Le Haut-Lieu is the original Huët vineyard and has the richest soils of the domaine’s three crus—a deep limestone-clay—and the wines are generally the estate’s most approachable. This demi-sec is incredibly balanced, with a bright acidity to balance out the touch of sweetness present with pure apple, honey, and tropical tones. Organically grown.