2017 Vouvray Demi-Sec Clos du Bourg

The 2017 Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec displays an intense golden-yellow color and a ripe, at the moment slightly diffuse bouquet of very ripe fruits, caramel, butterscotch and low sulfur, with very fine earthy notes in the background. Lush and very elegant on the palate, this is a powerful, intense and exuberant Chenin with firm, initially slightly astringent tannins and persistently juicy fruit. The wine is not as seamless at the beginning as the finest 2017s, but it gets much more balanced and juicy-piquant after aeration. At the end of the day, this is a pretty sexy Vouvray with Burgundian finesse. Tasted on March 2019.

The 2017 Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec is thrilling stuff, offering a vivid gold color as well as a kaleidoscope of honeyed citrus, white flowers, orange blossom, dried herbs, and chalky mineral-like aromas and flavors. It’s ripe and textured on the palate, with terrific concentration, yet has beautiful acidity, a seamless, perfectly balanced mouthfeel, and a great, great finish. The sweetness is brilliantly managed, and this beauty is going to keep for decades.

Already showing the hay bale and wet wool of classic Chenin Blanc, and there’s generous sweetness on the palate. Honey, ripe apple, lemon and tangy acid combine to give a wonderfully complex palate with superb length. (RH)