Lucien Crochet Sancerre Le Chene Marchand 2021

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. Located in the Loire Valley, specifically a short distance from Sancerre in the village of Bué, Domaine Lucien Crochet is a family-run winery founded in the 1950s. The vineyards extend over 35 hectares, where Sauvignon Blanc is the main grape, alongside Pinot Noir. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are sourced from several parcels planted in the renowned Le Chêne Marchand vineyard at an altitude of 240 to 260 meters. Here, the organically grown vines benefit from varying exposures from southeast to southwest and deep soil composed of Upper Oxfordian limestone, locally known as 'caillottes'. After manual harvesting and whole-cluster pressing, fermentation takes place in a mix of stainless steel and oak (only 5% of the must), and the finished wine rests on the lees for 10 months before blending and a further 9-month aging period. In the glass, the wine reveals a deep straw color with golden highlights. Its aromatic profile is broad and fragrant, with notes of fig and rhubarb, candied fruit, and lemon meringue, on a mineral background. On the palate, it's fresh, lively, and crisp, with good structure and a slightly citrusy, refreshing acidity. It has a distinctive minerality that lingers on the long, persistent finish. Try it with spaghetti with clams, seafood risotto, or Burgundy style snails.