2008 Domaine Huet Haut Lieu Vouvray Demi-Sec
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Tasting notes
Intensely yellow-colored, Huet's 2008 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Demi-Sec displays an intense, precise and brilliantly fruity bouquet of candied lime and orange peels, crushed stones, popcorn, chalky flavors and the aromas of a cross-roasted chicken skin. Round and highly elegant on the palate, with an electrifying acidity and a lovely sweetness, this is a very aromatic and fruity Chenin with a perching yet well-integrated acidity. This 2008 is full of finesse and elegance, and just perfect to drink. The finish is pure and salty, highly aromatic and very, very long, though also slightly phenolic. However, it's a beauty with flaw and thus highly recommended with food.
Critic scores
David Schildknecht, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Savoury and racy and fantastic grip. Beginning, middle and end. Grippy and utterly convincing. (JR)
Heliotrope and narcissus set the sweet and musky tone for Huet’s 2008 Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut Lieu, which delivers a near-jolt of energy, bright citricity, and the musky bite of Misato rose radishes to the palate. Underlying alkaline and chalky notes as well as a hint of honey add to the musky complexity of a long finish. This should be remarkable to follow for 15 or more years, though I’m not sure I would broach another bottle for 2-3, or that becoming harmonious is really what this wine will be about. Noel Pinguet professes great confidence in his 2009s and pleasure in one of those rare vintages where it was possible to bottle everything from sec through Cuvee Constance. That said, he admitted that achieving a balanced dry wine was challenging, and total production of sec was down from the estate norm; that of demi-sec, surprisingly, even more so (represented by a single bottling); virtually half of the vintage production being moelleux. While acknowledging similarities to 1996, Pinguet finds 2008 most closely resembles 1988. His is one of the few 2008 collections from Vouvray or Montlouis that is clearly less consistent than the corresponding 2009s, which he also finds more interesting. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (800) 999-4342
Very pale honey. Slightly more muted on the nose than the Mont Demi-Sec 2008, and without the sheer verve of it. But a very solid drink with the sweetness more obvious than in the Mont. I'd guess lower acidity. Useful, well-made wine that was only slightly put in the shade by the Mont Demi-Sec 2008. (JR)