Residual sugar (glucose & fructose): 5.1%
Late harvest wines are the holy grail of the Vouvray appellation. Only since the later years of the 20th century have dry wines been considered to be among the great wines of the appellation. Catherine Dhoye Deruet never adds sugar (sucrose) to the must when the wine is destined to have residual sugar, which means that late harvest wines are only produced when the vintage is appropriate. Good weather must be the prevailing condition in the vineyards during the hang time for the grapes in late October & November, when the grapes are picked and their golden nectar is gently pressed from the grapes.
The Les Brulés vineyard produces some of this domaine’s most compelling wines. Full southern exposure make it ideal for ripening grapes, but the subsoil limestone bedrock provides ample water reserves for the vines during the hot summer months.
The nose is of cooked apples, with very fresh, citrus notes to balance it out. The classic chenin minerality and zesty acidity come out in the mouth providing perfect counterpoints to the wines fullish, ripe fruit. Very long, this wine shows nice tension and is very complete.