Domaine Huet, Chenin Blanc, Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu, Loire Valley, France 2021

Since its founding in 1928, Vouvray’s Domaine Huet has been the standard-bearer for great, age-worthy Chenin Blanc. To this day, year after year, the estate produces some of the world’s most compelling white wines, in a remarkable range that spans sparkling, dry, semi-dry, and breathtaking dessert styles.

Founder Victor Huët purchased the first of his great vineyards, Le Haut-Lieu, in 1928. This parcel, which lies on Vouvray’s “Première Côte” (or “first slope”), is home to virtually all the appellation’s acknowledged grand cru vineyards. It has the richest soils of the domaine’s three crus — a deep limestone-clay — and the wines are generally the estate’s most approachable.