Domaine du Clos Naudin - Vouvray demi-sec 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

On these 11.5 hectares, which will be certified organic in 2024, Vincent Foreau is taking over from his father, Philippe. The dry wines, with their vibrant finishes of citrus zest, gain in refinement with age. A vertical tasting dating back to 1947 demonstrates their ability to stand the test of time. The sweet wines are fantastic for their dense texture, supported by just the right amount of tension, and the most recent vintages of these gastronomic wines possess remarkable vitality. A fifth star is well deserved.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

When tasting Philippe Foreau’s Vouvray wines, everything becomes clear and evident in the Chenin; what is complex is also rich and indulgent; what is fully ripe remains, as a result, taut; and what is good from an early stage is confirmed and deepens over the decades. Pure, with a long finish and proverbial persistence, the Vouvray wines from Clos Naudin possess the consistency of a metronome despite the variations in the Loire climate. The “perruches” (clay-flint soils) lend distinct character to the estate’s wines, which are equally at home in sweet as in dry styles; even the sparkling wines are crafted with the utmost care. The style is often quite rich, more baroque than at Domaine Huet, yet no less powerful in its lingering finish. The most recent vintages have been brilliantly crafted by Vincent, the son of Philippe Foreau. A bright future lies ahead for this Vouvray estate.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2018 Vouvray Demi-Sec is a cloud of Chenin Blanc that fills the mouth like a floating ghost of pure fruit. It’s almost weightless, yet its allure is mesmerizing. Delicate and transparent, with flavors reminiscent of fresh pear and ripe apple. It’s a harmonious whole. I wish I could enjoy demi-sec wines like this one every day.