Greatest Loire: Coulée de Serrant & Domaine Huet

We are excited to expand our Loire portfolio in 2015 with 2 of the world’s greatest wine estates. Coulée de Serrant lays claim to 875 consecutive grape harvests, having been planted by Cistercian monks in 1130. Today it is owned by the charismatic Joly family and their holdings include the monopole Coulée de Serrant AOC and top Savennières vineyards. 2012 was an excellent vintage for the property, perhaps the finest since daughter Virginie has taken over from Nicolas.
Needless to say, Domaine Huet is Vouvray’s most eminent producer, with roots back to 372AD! These are some of the world’s greatest wines – as confirmed by our 2008 tasting, which featured 9 decades of Huet back to the mind-boggling 1924 Haut-Lieu.
All the wines below are of course Chenin Blanc, and the Huets are made in varying degrees of sweetness according to the vintage, from Sec (dry) to Moelleux (sweet). Both properties are farmed biodynamically – the natural but often wacky approach set out by Rudolf Steiner. This method of farming is essentially an extension of organics, but places more emphasis on the micro-organisms in the vineyard. Those who are interested in biodynamics might want to consider our post-harvest luncheon at Reyneke on 15 March.
Coulée de Serrant’s wines are more generous and riper in style, while Huets are typically racy and mineral. Expect all the wines below to live for at least a decade or more.
Visit our website for our full Loire Portfolio, including Vincent Carême, Moulin Touchais, Le Grange Tiphaine and Thierry Germain.
Taste these wines on 18 February in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Our full tasting schedule is now available online.

Taste these wines on 18 February in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Our full tasting schedule is now available online.
Free delivery on orders over R1,500 (main centres only). If you need any assistance, call us on 021 448 4105 (CT) or 011 027 9463 (JHB). View delivery charges. Email [email protected] or place your order online.

Tasting notes

Coulée de Serrant, Savennières AOC Les Vieux Clos 2012
Alcohol 14%, residual sugar less than 1 g/l, acidity 4.2 g/l, free sulphur dioxide 14 mg/l. Malolactic fermentation for 100% of the wine. An early harvest. An attractive, floral and rather honeyed nose. This feels fresh, with no evident botrytis on this wine at present. Quite a solid style on the palate, showing a little oak lactone here, substantial and full of grip. A nice structure to it. Overall I find the style robust but attractive. – Chris Kissack
Coulée de Serrant, Savennières AOC Clos de Bergerie 2012
Alcohol 14%, residual sugar 5 g/l, acidity 3.9 g/l, free sulphur dioxide 18 mg/l. Malolactic fermentation for 100% of the wine. This is very expressive, with clean but rather golden fruit on the nose. The palate is remarkably polished, and the touch of sugar does have a palpable influence on its texture. There is a rather exotic edge to this wine, wildflowers and a honeyed depth to it, although there is also a subtle twist of caramel which might be the oak but I can’t help wondering that there might be some subtle botrytis coming through also. All the same, this having minimal impact, I still find this to have some appeal. – Chris Kissack
Coulée de Serrant, Coulée de Serrant AOC 2012
Alcohol 14%, residual sugar 0.6 g/l, acidity 3.9 g/l, free sulphur dioxide 22 mg/l. Malolactic fermentation for 100% of the wine. The style here is pure, with clean white fruit on the nose, this showing overall a very restrained style. The palate is equally distinct, showing a very straight and defined character, broad but grippy, and there is even some tension here. A good substance to it throughout, and a firm finish, with no suggestion of heat. This is attractive. It looks as though 2012 has been a very good vintage for the Jolys. – Chris Kissack
Huet, Le Haut Lieu Demi-Sec 2008
Heliotrope and narcissus set the sweet and musky tone for Huet’s 2008 Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut Lieu, which delivers a near-jolt of energy, bright citricity, and the musky bite of Misato rose radishes to the palate. Underlying alkaline and chalky notes as well as a hint of honey add to the musky complexity of a long finish. This should be remarkable to follow for 15 or more years, though I’m not sure I would broach another bottle for 2-3, or that becoming harmonious is really what this wine will be about. – Wine Spectator, 92 points
Huet, Le Mont Sec 2012
The fresh peach, nectarine and bitter almond notes show a good racy feel, with hints of ginger and honeysuckle gracing the elegant finish. Drink now through 2018. – Wine Spectator, 90 points
Huet, Clos du Bourg Sec 2012
Peach, ginger, salted butter and chamomile notes mingle, with a lightly toasted brioche frame. The apple-tinged finish is ever-so-slightly soft. A solid effort for the vintage. Drink now through 2016. 1,500 cases made. – Wine Spectator, 89 points


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