2023 Domaine François Crochet, Sancerre Rosé, Loire Valley, France.
One of Sancerre’s most exciting vignerons François Crochet, most known for his Sauvignon Blancs, does a fabulous and mineral toned dry Pinot Noir Rosé and this 2023 version is drinking beautifully right now and should for another year with ease. The Crochet Rosé shows off a crisp and refreshing light palate with loads of stony goodness and delicate details with sour cherry, strawberry and ruby grapefruit leading the way, along with pretty rosewater, chalky notes, wild herbs and florals. François Crochet, who is highly regarded in the region, graduated from the famous enology school in Beaune and after school, he stayed in Burgundy working at Domaine Bruno Clair. A short maceration on the skins to get that gorgeous pale pink hue and tank fermentation was employed here and it was briefly matured before bottling to keep this wine as fresh and focused as possible.
The Sancerre region, as noted by The Source Imports, Crochet’s importer in California, sits on top of a series of hills and small valleys that were once under the ocean which deposited all sorts of calcium rich shells from ancient sea-life. Going on they add, In the case of Sancerre, the most famous rock here is called Kimmeridgian, which is made primarily of an ancient tiny sea creature that closely resembles today’s oyster. The rest of the vineyard land in Sancerre is a mixture of limestone marl, chalk and flint, as well as quite a lot of red and brown clay soils that are clearly marked with a good dose of iron. The conditions here are perfect for mineral intense and chalky wines, with Crochet making some sublime versions of red and white Sancerre offerings, with François’s cru Sancerre Blanc being one of my favorites, with Rosé being a tasty bonus in the collection. The exceptionally tasty treat, 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir, will be great with Spring cuisine and is an elevated version of Loire pink that is well worth searching out.
($34 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive