Lucien Crochet Sancerre 2022

Loire, France

Lucien Crochet Sancerre is a white wine gem from the Loire Valley of France from one of the best producers in the region. The domain now encompasses 38 hectares of vineyards, almost all of which are located in the village of Bué with smaller holdings in the neighboring villages of Vinon and Crézancy. The soils are clay and limestone from the Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian eras. The vineyards are on slopes of varying severity and run from south-east to south to southwest in their exposure to the sun. Since 1989 the Crochets have practiced lutte raisonée in the vineyards, which are planted to a density of between 6600 (older plantings) to 8700 vines per hectare. The harvest is manual.

The grapes for this basic cuvée of Sancerre are sourced from the vineyards in Bué, Vinon and Crézancy. After harvest, fermentation is done in stainless steel cuves at temperatures between 14 and 18 degrees Celsius. As with all the whites at the domaine, this wine sits in contact with the fine lies for a considerable period of time with the racking being done late in the spring following harvest. The first bottling occurs no earlier than July and frequently does not occur until September of the year following harvest. Notes of grapefruit, black currant and white stone fruits, with a chalky minerality on the palate. The wine is long and refreshing on the finish.

Enjoy Lucien Crochet Sancerre over the next 4-5 years with grilled salmon, fried oysters, sushi, chicken salad and goat cheese.