Huët Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec 2023

94 points James Suckling: "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. Drink or hold. (10/22/24)"

93 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2023 Vouvray 'Le Haut Lieu' Sec from Domaine Huët is a classic in the marking, coming in at an even thirteen percent octane in this vintage and offering up a bright and complex bouquet of quince, lemon, chalky soil tones, lanolin, white lilies and a topnote of citrus peel. On the palate the wine is pure, precise and full-bodied, with a lovely core of fruit, a fine spine of acidity, lovely focus and grip and a long, well balanced and complex finish. As is so often the case with the Sec bottlings from Domaine Huët, the 2023 Le Haut Lieu is quite open out of the blocks and is a delicious glass of wine at the present time. If history is any guide, a few years down the road it will close up for a period of hibernation before it re-emerges to drink well for another fifty years. Fine juice. (May/Jun 2024)"

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. Drink: 2024-2033. (Jul 2024)"

93 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "Displaying a bright straw hue, the 2023 Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu is expressive on opening, with aromas of crushed apples, river rock, chamomile, and Meyer lemon. The palate offers wonderful balance, with a supple texture, even acidity, and stony underpinnings, as well as a delicate touch of bitter almond on the finish. It offers a great deal of enjoyment at this early stage, and while it’s ready to enjoy now, it should also provide longevity over the coming 6-8 years. Drink: 2024-2032. (Oct 2024)"

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. Drink: 2024-2044. (5/14/24)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "Fresh-crushed apple, quince and spice notes have an earthy dimension, with hints of roasted agave and wet soil. There's beautiful range and just enough plumpness to make this generous, yet it's held in check by a chalky mineral element and very fine tannins. Toasted almond and salted butter notes move in, with lime-edged acidity cleaning up the finish. Refined and complex. Drink now through 2037. (11/30/24)"