WTN: Two excellent wines- '89 Huet, '09 Brun

I love my job, but some days are better than others. Today was not one of the better days (at least while it was going on), but when it was over and most things solved I was happy to get home. Betsy and I took the dogs (we've been hosting a dachshund for a couple days) for a walk, then back to the house for dinner. And that's when I really got happy.

Betsy had made a trip to her favorite seafood shop, and made a great meal. A starter of Maine crab claws with butter and Meyer lemon, then halibut with chimichurri, roasted parsnips and carrots, and a salad of butter lettuce, pear, pecans, and blue cheese.

1989 Huet "Le Haut Lieu" Vouvray Sec (375)
I'd had- and really liked -this wine before, but this half-bottle flat out rocked, outperforming the 750s I have had before. This seems so young, yet with layers of complexity. Apples, pear, just a hint of wax and wool, bright, great length, chalk and wet rocks. Fresh, lovely. Wow. A

2009 Brun/Terres Dorees "L'Ancien" Beaujolais
I had opened this while Betsy cooked, and revisited after dinner. Sappy, snappy, and makes me happy. Great acids, deep sappy red fruit, earth, good length. Word on the street is this is supposed to be shut down, I don't think so. There's a little tannin here, but with fake cork I'll plan on drinking (with pleasure) short term. B+/A-

Quite a night for dinner for two.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency. 

Yum.

So I guess it's 20+ years for Huet sec in a good year.

Both wines sound great. This week I tasted another Huet 1989, the Cuvée Constance, and that is just stunning, but then we should expect that! The 1989 Sec you had sounds wonderful - but then it was a great vintage.

2009 Brun/Terres Dorees "L'Ancien" Beaujolais
Word on the street is this is supposed to be shut down, I don't think so. 

Shut down already!!??

Matt, I tend to buy mostly demi-sec, so I have no idea if this is typical for Huet.
Chris, the 89 Constance is one of my all time fave dessert wines. I have the 93 and 95, hope they're half as good!
Rahsaan, I think on one of the boards someone said 09s were shutting down, even basic wines like L'Ancien. Personally, I've not generally found Gamay to shut down as hard as other grapes (though I know some more knowledgeable people disagree). In any case this was wide open (and remains so night 2)