Clos du Bourg demi-sec 2020

The Clos du Bourg demi-sec 2020 is an off-dry Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, chalky and firmly built. The nose shows yellow citrus fruits and their zest, crisp apples and pears, dried herbs and blond tobacco, along with fresh apple must, smoke and flint.

The Clos du Bourg lies above the church of Vouvray: six hectares enclosed by an old stone wall, hence the name. The plot is already mentioned in the 7th century. The flat soil consists of clay with flint and chalk inclusions over Turonian tuffeau limestone, which the vines reach after just one metre. Gaston Huet, who secured the site in 1963, considered it the largest vineyard in all of Vouvray.

Pure Chenin Blanc. Harvest took place between 7 September, the earliest date in the estate's history, and 25 September 2020; sun and warmth shaped the vintage. The grapes were meticulously sorted, pressed and spontaneously fermented, with malolactic fermentation occurring only in individual barrels. Aged in used demi-muids. At Huet, demi-sec means 15 to 25 grams of residual sugar; here it is 20.

The opening is silky and warm, with juicy pome fruit, stone fruit and a touch of citrus fruit. Spice and acidity then emerge, drawing the aromas into a swirl of freshness and salinity. Volume and concentration are present, heaviness is not.

Blue-footed chicken with morels, black pudding with mashed potatoes and caramelised apples, or brie with truffles.

Gaston Huet introduced biodynamics in the late 1980s; the Domaine Huet has been Demeter-certified since 1993. Cellar master Benjamin Joliveau, a Vouvray native, has overseen the wines since 2020; the cellars are deep rock galleries with constant temperature. This wine will continue to develop over the years.