Tuesday January 28, 2014

BRITISH COLUMBIA

"[Crochet] far out-performed all but a tiny minority of 2011s from his appellation"

David Schildknecht - Wine Advocate

Issue 201, June 2012

Today's Offer

Sancerre AC 'le Chêne' 2011

	Price	$40.00/bottle
	Varietal	Sauvignon Blanc
	Region	Sancerre, Loire Valley
	Format	12 x 750ml
	Availability	20 cases
	Ageability	Now - 2020
	CSPC	+28233

91-92 Points

"Crochet's 2011 Sancerre Le Chene - incorporating, as usual, a high percentage of fruit from the Chene Marchand - needed a shaking to reveal its generous scents and juicy profusion of lime, pineapple, and honeydew, here mingled with chalk and salt that add interest and saliva-inducing savor, going beyond what one experiences in the corresponding Croix du Roy. And while the present wine is expansive and exceedingly ripe, there is cut and clarity of a sort rare for its vintage, which perfectly suites the metaphorically cooling effect of herbal essences as they rush in to join the fruits and minerals in a long finishing colloquy. This ought to be a delight to follow over the next 5-6 years.

Lucien Crochet planned not to bottle any of his 2011s - save for the rose - until September, which considering the small size of the 2010 crop reflects notable restraint as well as dedication to what he thinks best for his wines, even if that puts him at slight commercial disadvantage. Several tank samples of Crochet's 2011s required a shaking to liberate their scents and flavors from reduction, but that is, if anything, a positive, given the relatively late bottling in store for them and that 2011 is a vintage in which retaining freshness is especially important. He emphasized the advantages of hand-harvesting (routine for him), as well as those of strategic canopy management in largely avoiding the potential Scilla and Charybdis of under-ripeness or rot that he notes faced many growers in both 2011 and 2010. In his mission to craft from Sauvignon distinctly delicious reflections of his varied terroirs and varied artistic impulses, Crochet's 2010s collectively represent a high point. But he is sure not to rest on his laurels, and indeed far out-performed all but a tiny minority of 2011s from his appellation."

Issue #201

About Lucien Crochet

At Lucien Crochet the emphasis is on creating wines of finesse and complexity that are faithful to both terroir and vintage. The vineyards are located around the towns of Bué, Sancerre and Crézancy, the finest of which is the limestone-based Chêne Marchand vineyard. Gilles Crochet, Lucien's son, makes the wines as naturally as possible using indigenous yeasts. Through hand picking, careful selection of the grapes and long, slow ageing 'sur lie', Lucien Crochet produces sophisticated and age-worthy Sancerre.

Today's offer, the 'Le Chêne' Sancerre, is sourced primarily from the Chêne Marchand vineyard. The vineyard's clay-limestone soils are known locally as "caillottes et griottes" contribute greatly to the wine's intense minerality. Near perfect exposure of the vineyard make this one of the region's earliest ripening sites, delivering beautiful fruit year after year.

How to order ?

Simply by replying to this e-offer or by contacting Neil Punshon at neil.punshon@trialto.com
Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or for further information !

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Neil Punshon
Liquid Art Sales Manager - Western Canada