Lucien Crochet Sancerre Blanc La Croix du Roy 2021

Loire, France Lucien Crochet Sancerre La Croix du Roy 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. Sourced from several parcels of the estate that are planted in rocky, white soils (Oxfordian limestones referred to as “caillottes” and “griottes”) with steep, east-southeast exposures, this cuvée is the most full-bodied and structured of the three core Sancerres of the domaine. Vinified in stainless steel with a late racking to insure that the wine captures the essence of the terroir, allowing the Sauvignon Blanc’s raw material rather than any oak dressing to carry the day. The wine is bottled in September of the year following harvest. Notes of black currant and white stone-fruits emerge, with a chalky minerality on the palate and a pleasing bitterness of yuzu citrus. The wine is long and refreshing on the finish. Enjoy Lucien Crochet Sancerre La Croix du Roy over the next 4-5 years with grilled salmon, fried oysters, sushi, chicken salad and goat cheese.