François Crochet, Sancerre Blanc AOC, Loire Valley, France, 2019 (Biodynamic, Organic)

About The Producer
François graduated from the famous enology school in Beaune, France. After school, he cut his teeth by working at Domaine Bruno Clair. François took over his father’s winery not too long ago and has been turning heads everywhere, first in France and now here. He is one of the first to pick in Sancerre so the acidity of his wines rage. Counterintuitively, the wine doesn’t have the green pepper notes that one would expect from wines harvested so early. I don’t know how he does it, but the wine finds such a perfect balance of power, beauty and finesse.

The vineyards that are 30 years old on average, are divided into more than thirty parcels in the villages of Bué, Sancerre, Crézancy and Thauvenay historically and more recently with some parcels coming from Carine’s family in Verdigny and Sury-en-Vaux. The yields are controlled by bud reduction in the spring and in some cases a later green harvest, the eventual harvest is entirely manual, and overall this is a very small, 'hands-on' operation, with François personally overseeing and also undertaking much of the work in the vineyard (no mean feat with such a parcellated domaine).

Grape / Blend
100% Sauvignon Blanc

Origin
Loire Valley, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
It is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, an autochthonous white grape variety characteristic of the Sancerre area that comes from different plots located on a calcareous soil of clayey and sandy matrix, cultivated according to principles of biodynamic and natural agriculture. Even in the cellar, as little intervention is possible, for the production of limited refined, fresh and very precise bottles. Francois Crochet Sancerre Blanc is a lively, clean and delicate wine that expresses hints of fruit, citrus fruits, herbs and mineral salts (limestone). A respectable entry level characterized by a brilliant acidity and surprising minerality.

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
This ripe, floral wine has rich fruitiness that is shot through with steely acidity. The mineral texture makes its mark in the tight tension that will allow this attractive wine to age. Drink from 2021. Organic and biodynamic. 

Product size: 750ml