2016 Lucien Crochet, Sancerre Blanc, Loire Valley, France.
Based in Bué, a few kilometers west of Sancerre, the famed Lucien Crochet estate makes some of the most interesting and authentic Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noirs in the region, the soils here are clay and limestone known locally as Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian era type which give the wines their character. The vineyards are on sloping hillsides of varying degree of severity and mostly face south-east to south to southwest giving the best exposure to the sun, with Lucien Crochet, since 1989 only using only organic supplements in the vineyards, which the Crochet’s believe allow more vitality and energy to show through in their brilliant wines. This 2016 Sancerre, sporting their new label design, is the main white of the winery and showcases all the pure best that this estate can do, with the grapes for this basic cuvée are sourced from the vines in Bué, Vinon and Crézancy, it’s fermented in stainless steel cuves to maximize vibrancy, and as with all the whites at the domaine, this wine is raised on the fine lies for a considerable period of time, usually a full year, to add texture and substance, which this beauty shows perfectly, giving it a lovely mouth feel while still being refreshingly bright and dynamic on the palate. The Sancerre Blanc starts with sour grass, white flowers and tons of mineral tones, chalk and a light stone fruit note before a vivid array of citrus flows in with a mix of lemon/lime, grapefruit, tangerine as well as gooseberry and peachy fruits, along with a steely verve, wet river rock and hints of snappy herbs. The textural side really shows with air and gives this wonderful Sauvignon Blanc it’s regal class in the glass and makes an round leesy impression that lingers on and on, this is a focused and pleasing white that expresses true terroir and old world charm, drink it over the next 2 to 5 years, if you are looking for a great Loire food wine with just that extra bit of class this light/medium bodied wine will fill your needs!
($33 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
