Backfill & Diversify Vol. 5

Here’s a conundrum. I have been offered a wine that I consider, without doubt, should be in the cellar of anyone remotely interested in the sweet wines of the world. The problem is that I haven’t tasted this vintage. So why am I even thinking about selling it?

The first release of this wine was the 1989, which Michael Broadbent described as, “The most perfect Loire wine I have ever tasted,” giving it 6 stars (out of five, that is).

This is a wine that is generally sweeter than Yquem by some margin, but a wine that retains freshness, low-ish alcohol (the 1989 was but 10.9%abv) and is loaded with botrytis.

And it’s made by a firm that have, for 80-or-so years, consistently produced among the very best wines in the world.

I can offer vintage, wine name and a tasting note from The Wine Spectator, which is enough for me to add some to my cellar. Click on the tasting note icon below.

Vintage	Wine	Drink dates	Case size	Price In Bond
2002	Vouvray Cuvée Constance Moelleux, Huët, Loire Valley, France Notes: Delivers the panoply of ginger, lemon cream, green tea, honeycomb and mango flavors you expect from a world-class dessert wine, combined with a lacy, filigreed texture and mineral underpinning that is rare. So pure and balanced, all the sweetness is absorbed on the finish, leaving an incredibly tender yet exhilarating impression of fresh fruit. Drink now through 2040. 199 cases made. 99/100. The Wine Spectator	2008-2040	12x50cl	£720.00
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Do note that the price is for a case of a dozen half-litre bottles! There is very little of this wine available, so please respond to this offer at your earliest convenience to ensure satisfaction.

NB. The 2002 has now sold out. We can however offer the subsequent vintage as an excellent alternative. Almost unbelievably, it is slightly more expensive although we have compromised our margin to soften the blow!

Vintage	Wine	Drink dates	Case size	Price In Bond
2003	Vouvray Cuvée Constance Moelleux, Huët, Loire Valley, France Notes: Offers a stunning array of date, quince paste, fig and persimmon aromas and flavors, with a laser of acidity carrying it all through an extremely lengthy finish. Just when you think it's all opulence, riveting acidity and a green tea hint flash on the finish, leaving a wonderfully elegant impression. Drink now through 2030. 330 cases made. 98/100. The Wine Spectator	2008-2030	12x50cl	£750.00
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For those of you who would like to experience some of the majesty of Huët’s sweet wines, but don’t want to apply for a second mortgage in these difficult times, we can also offer the following “lesser” cuvées which are, nevertheless, still some of the finest sweet wines produced anywhere:

Vintage	Wine	Drink dates	Case size	Price In Bond
2005	Vouvray Clos de Bourg Moelleux Première Trie, Huët, Loire Valley, France Notes: Offers a panoply of rich fig, quince, persimmon, date and orange peel flavors, but stays bright and lithe, with a lacy texture and bright acidity. Very alluring, with great buried minerality offset by papaya on the very long, finely beaded finish. Drink now through 2028. 735 cases made. 96/100. The Wine Spectator	2008-2028	12x75cl	£321.00
2005	Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie, Huët, Loire Valley, France Notes: Plump, with mango, date and green fig notes, but also brightly detailed, with persimmon, ginger powder, mineral and green tea notes. Mouthwatering acidity holds it all together and extends the lengthy finish. Shows a touch more bass than treble, but still a classic. Drink now through 2028. 675 cases made. 95/100. The Wine Spectator	2008-2028	12x75cl	£318.00
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