By Maison Darragon
Le Haut des Ruettes Vouvray 2020

Technical Details
Grape Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
Average Age of the Vines: 30 years old
Terroir: Calcareous clay, Siliceous clay
Residual Sugar: 24.00 g/L
Alcohol: 14.00%
Serving Temperature: 10 degrees C / 50 degrees F

Producer Notes
The Darragon family have been winegrowers in Vouvray for nine generations (since 1761). Over time, they have established deep roots in the Vouvray region, passing down their know-how to obtain a high-quality product. Vouvray is dedicated almost exclusively to the Chenin grape variety, which expresses itself here like nowhere else. From vines growing in various terroirs, Maison Darragon produces Fines Bulles (fine bubbles), sparkling and Methode Traditionnelle (traditional method) Vouvray wines, and elegant still wines, which are dry, semi-dry, sweet, or very sweet depending on the vintage.

Vineyard
The vineyard is located between the village of Vouvray and the border of the municipality of Vernou-sur-Brenne. The estate now covers 40 hectares (99 acres). The temperate climate ensures the grapes gently ripen, and the sweetness and acidity produce perfectly balanced Vouvray wines with a lingering freshness that can age for dozens of years. Mindful of the quality of the product and the environment, integrated farming methods are used on the estate. The wines are made in a newly built cellar and aged in troglodyte caves before being sold.

Vinification and Aging
Grape ripeness monitoring and establishment of a harvest plan, the harvest is immediately poured into the pneumatic press to be pressed at low pressure, juice selection. Low-temperature settling. Fermentation temperature is regulated at 16 degrees C (60 degrees F). Aged on fine lees with stirring for six months, racking, and sterile filtration during bottling.

Tasting Notes
The brilliant and bright pale yellow color with golden glints leads to a nose combining the sweetness of pale-fleshed fruit with that of honeyed flowers. Delicately tender and sweet on the palate, with a good balance of sweetness and freshness. Long and harmonious finish.
[Information provided by DHI Selections]

Maison Darragon, Le Haut Des Ruettes, Vouvray, Loire, France, 2020
Producer: Maison Darragon
Wine Name: Le Haut Des Ruettes
Vintage: 2020
Sub-region: Vouvray
Region: Loire
Country: France
Award: Silver
Score: 93
Colour: White
Style: Still - Medium Dry
Bottle Size: 75cl
Closure: Natural Cork
Alcohol Level: 14.00%
Grape Composition: 100% Chenin Blanc
Tasting notes: Charming aromatics revealing both tropical and citrus notes. Ripe fruit and freshness on the palate. Long and balanced finish.

Maison Darragon 2020 Vouvray Le Haut des Ruettes Chenin Blanc
Rating: 91
The Darragon family have been making wine in Vouvray since 1761. Their latest demi-sec Chenin has good length and attractive honeyed-pear, pate-de-fruits richness in the finish. There’s some reductive funk that blows off—give it an aggressive decant in a Mason jar to introduce friends to friendly Chenin. —C.W.
Kindred Vines, Troy, MI

Maison Darragon 2020 Les Hauts de Ruettes (Vouvray)
Rating: 86
Designation: Les Hauts de Ruettes
Variety: Chenin Blanc
Appellation: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
Winery: Maison Darragon
Alcohol: 14.00%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: White
Importer: Kindred Vines
Date Published: 5/1/2022
Reviewed by: Roger Voss
Off dry, this is a soft style of Vouvray. White fruits, some nutty character and a gentle texture make for an easy wine to drink.

Maison Darragon, Le Haut des Ruettes Demi-Sec 2020 Vouvray
Producer: Maison Darragon
Cuvee: Le Haut des Ruettes
Appellation: Vouvray
Region: Loire
Country: France
Colour: White
Alcohol: 14.00%
Score: 16/20
When to drink: 2022 – 2027
Published on: 4 Mar 2022
Date tasted: 24 Nov 2021
Reviewer: Tamlyn Currin
Ripe, crisp apple and sweet kohlrabi and physalis fruit on this with a touch of lime-green lightness. A very pretty back-palate bitterness. Some white-pepper spice. Pert, proper. Everything in place. (TC)