Huet Vouvray Le Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1ere Trie 2020 (750ML)

97-98 VM / 97 WS / 97 DE / 96-97 WA / 96 JS

The 2020 Clos du Bourg Première Trie comes from a warm parcel and a warm vintage, meaning that the grapes were a little quicker to ripen than the norm – but it's still outstanding. A richly, slightly smoky example with pineapple, orange, florals and agave nectar. Huge intensity and lots of sweet fruit (90g/L), yet it doesn't become lush or heavy, the acidity still making your mouth water in spite of that sucrosity. There's a fine chalky texture that lingers on the long finish. While it's already a delight to encounter now, the combination of acidity and sweetness means this can go on and on. Tasted over three days as an unfinished sample, it was still fresh as a daisy. While it didn't elicit the perfect 100-point goosebumps, there's not a lot to fault here.-- Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous Media

This lush, refined wine boasts lots of complexity, with pineapple chutney, yellow fig paste, verbena and heather notes that are edged with crystalized ginger, mango, cardamom and mineral elements. Beautiful and enticing. Drink now through 2040. 330 cases made. - Wine Spectator

There is exceptional aromatic complexity on the nose with its alluring array of pineapple, papaya, apricot and orchard fruits complicated by touches of spice including saffron. The wine has the telltale density of Clos du Bourg and mouthcoating richness thanks to 93g/L of residual sugar, but the palate is perfectly balanced and precise in profile and it brims with energy and power. A great, almost irresistible wine, yet it would be best to keep it in the cellar as long as possible.--YC, Decanter

The white-golden colored 2020 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux Première Trie shows CO2 pearls in the glass, and it indeed opens somewhat reductive, asking for a Burgundy glass. Yet even though the 2020 Clos du Bourg asks for patience, it already indicates a terribly concentrated bouquet of lemon chutney and humid chalk. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and juicy, very elegant and generous Chenin from this ancient six-hectare grand cru (one of the oldest in France, as the domaine assures). It is immediately attractive, stimulatingly piquant and nourishes hope for a great future. The potential is doubtlessly there, but 7-10 years of our patience is presumed. Tasted as a sample in May 2021.-- Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate

The very sensual nose of candied orange, floral honey and vanilla bean drags you into this luscious and beautifully balanced expression of the chenin blanc grape. Very impressive concentration and precision, the intense mineral acidity effortlessly balancing the ample unfermented grape sweetness. Very long, honeyed yet bright finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.--James Suckling