FRANCOIS CROCHET SANCERRE LE CHÊNE MARCHAND

Tasting notes:

A very fresh, pure and aromatic wine. This Sancerre is complex and concentrated with gooseberry, blackcurrant leaf and hints of honey overlaid with minerality and held tightly by a core of acidity. The finish is elegant and long with flint and ripe apple leaving a lasting impression.

About the wine:

Le Chêne Marchand is the name of a south and south east facing the village of Bué. These vines grow on a chalky soil known as ‘caillottes’, meaning tiny flat stones covering the ground and which have the particularity to restitute day heat at night. These vines are around 45 years old on average. The vineyard has been farmed organically for several years and was officially certified organic since 2017. Grapes are hand harvested and rigorously sorted. The yield aimed for this cuvée varies between 40 and 45 hl per ha.

Whole grape pressing combined with a sequential program allow a very gentle extraction of the juice. After a settling period the juice is racked and the alcoholic fermentation takes place both in oak vats. When completed the wine is matured on its fine lees for 10 to 11 months. Then a light filtration is performed on cellulose plates before the bottling takes place. No oak ageing. 

About the Producer:

Robert and Marie-Solange are descended from two families with long associations with Bué, a village 4km from the town of Sancerre itself and with a great and long standing reputation for producing some of the appellations best wines. 

Domaine Crochet is a small, family run producer with a respect for the best of traditional methods such as hand picking and selection at harvest. They are keen to embrace technology however where it gives them advantage and the wines are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel vats. The resulting wines are intensely flavoured with crisp, refreshing acidity and great length.

Food match:

The crisp acidity and minerality makes this an excellent choice to accompany shellfish and seafood dishes.