Le Haut-Lieu was the estate’s first vineyard, purchased in 1928. Situated on the Première Côte, it’s a nine-hectare plot on deep brown chalky clay (known as aubuis). The yellow limestone (tuffeau) bedrock lies up to four metres down, making for a richer soil that produces round, supple wines that drink very well young. It generally produces the earliest-maturing of the three cuvées and is usually ready to drink first, but, like Clos du Bourg and Le Mont, the wines can be extremely long-lived. We have enjoyed bottles from the ’40s that are still drinking very well!
“The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I'm very encouraged by the results.” 93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
Critic Reviews
94 POINTS
Stuart Pigott
“This stunning dry Vouvray has such an exciting energy on the simultaneously focused and creamy medium-bodied palate. I love the juicy core, then the way the wet stone character builds to an impressive intensity in the long, precise finish. Still really youthful and with great aging potential.” 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com
94 POINTS
Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.com
This stunning dry Vouvray has such an exciting energy on the simultaneously focused and creamy medium-bodied palate. I love the juicy core, then the way the wet stone character builds to an impressive intensity in the long, precise finish. Still really youthful and with great aging potential. From biodynamically grown grapes.
93 POINTS
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous
The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I’m very encouraged by the results.
93 POINTS
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous
"The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I'm very encouraged by the results." 93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
92 POINTS
Beverley Blanning MW - Decanter
Youthfully fresh, honeyed aromas lead into a deliciously silky, fine-textured palate with understated mineral complexity. The fruit is juicy and fresh, with honeysuckle and lanolin notes complementing the balanced 5g/L of residual sugar. Firm acidity and savoury, mineral length suggest a long life ahead.
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Tasting Notes
Le Haut-Lieu was the estate’s first vineyard, purchased in 1928. Situated on the Première Côte, it’s a nine-hectare plot on deep brown chalky clay (known as aubuis). The yellow limestone (tuffeau) bedrock lies up to four metres down, making for a richer soil that produces round, supple wines that drink very well young. It generally produces the earliest-maturing of the three cuvées and is usually ready to drink first, but, like Clos du Bourg and Le Mont, the wines can be extremely long-lived. We have enjoyed bottles from the ’40s that are still drinking very well!
“The 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is a pure, refined, seamless style with pear, pineapple and nectarine flavors. It boasts excellent clarity and refinement, with lovely freshness hailing from calibrated acidity that bursts through this blossoming wine. Considering this was only bottled three weeks before tasting, I'm very encouraged by the results.” 93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
