Ratings & Tasting Notes:
96 points Wine Spectator
This is ripe and broad, taking a slightly more power-driven approach, with a mix of tropical mango and papaya fruit, backed by orchard fruit accents of yellow apple and peach. The long, heather honey-accented finish has light piecrust and crystalized ginger hints. Best from 2020 through 2035. (JM)
Cult Wines International Notes:
The 2016 Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Clos du Bourg’ Première Trie Moelleux is a profound expression of Chenin Blanc from one of the Loire Valley’s most revered biodynamic estates. Sourced from the “Clos du Bourg,” a historic walled vineyard Gaston Huet believed to be the greatest in Vouvray, this wine is characterized by its shallow, stony limestone soils that impart a signature mineral tension. The “Première Trie” designation indicates that this is a first selection of the most botrytized or overripe berries, harvested in successive passes through the vineyard to ensure concentrated sweetness and complexity. Despite a challenging 2016 season that required rigorous sorting, this bottling emerged as a triumph, balancing approximately 84 grams of residual sugar with the high natural acidity typical of the region, resulting in a dessert wine of remarkable poise rather than heavy sweetness.
Sensory profiles of the 2016 vintage reveal a wine of “power-driven” elegance, featuring a broad bouquet of tropical mango, papaya, and yellow orchard fruits, accented by notes of heather honey, ginger cream, and white flowers. On the palate, it is creamy and seamless, showing a depth of fruit that includes quince and candied orange peel, all held together by a piquant, salty minerality and an “electric” acidity. While many collectors find it accessible in its youth for its exuberant fruit, this Moelleux is built for the long haul; it possesses the structural integrity to evolve over several decades, developing complex tertiary notes of truffle, beeswax, and spice. It remains a benchmark for noble sweet wines, offering a “vibrant tension” that defines the legendary Huet style.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Some label damage as shown, otherwise outstanding condition.
