Domaine Francois Crochet is located in the small town of Bué, at the gates of Sancerre, in the Loire Valley. The son of a vigneron, François took over the estate in 1998 and together with his wife Carine works 10.5 hectares of vines, encompassing all three of the principle Sancerre terroirs.
François is an innovative winemaker with experience far beyond Sancerre. Although well travelled, having spent time in New Zealand, his heart is in Bué and here he produces his own distinctive style of this classic wine.
He’s one of the first growers in the appellation to pick so the acidity of his wines rage.
Biodynamically farmed since 2017 with Certified Organic status from 2023 Vintage.
His methods are gentle: fruit is hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed, making for pure, delicate expression.
These wines are some of the most precise and refined Sancerre around; intensely flavoured with crisp, refreshing acidity and great length.
Much of Sancerre lies on Kimmeridgian limestone marl (or terres blanches as it is known locally). Kimmeridgian, is made primarily of ancient tiny sea creatures as the ocean deposited all sorts of calcium rich shells from ancient sea-life. The rest of the vineyard land is a mixture of limestone marl, chalk and flint.
One can also find quite a lot of red and brown clay soils that are clearly marked with a good dose of iron. That particularity makes the area also well suited for Pinot Noir grapes and the village of Bué is reputed for the quality of its Sancerre rouge.
2023 Sancerre
CERTIFIED ORGANIC
This wine is a selection from Sauvignon blanc vines planted on the three types of soil found throughout the Appellation, composed of 80 % chalky soil – locally known as “caillottes”, 10% clay chalky soil and 10% flint. These vines are around 25 years old and the parcels are certified organic and have been biodynamically farmed since 2017. A natural grass cover is left to develop around some vines depending on the soil and the slope.
Fresh, pure and elegant with blackcurrant leaf and gooseberry on the nose. This is textbook Sancerre which has fruit and minerality in perfect proportions. Fresh citrus fruit acidity supports stony fruit and minerality on the palate. With power and elegance and purity this wine really stands out.
2022 Sancerre ‘Exils’
NEW RELEASE
The cuvee “Exils” is anagram for silex (flint in french) and comes from the stones that completely cover this vineyard. Silex is a brutally hard stone that has been used as a tool for cutting things for thousands of years because of its sharpness and hardness. This is also a vineyard that is far away from every other vineyard in the Crochet stable. The vines and stones rest next to a forest, at the top of a south-facing hill on the south side of Sancerre, near the Loire River.
Given that this silex soil is his most unique soil, it also renders the most unique wine from this domaine. The direct mineral impression of this wine easily stands apart from Francois’ range. The nose is dominated with the smell of minerals, flint and stones. There are other organic-type aromas, like high-toned citrus fruits, fresh grasses and forest floor, but this wine is dominated by its stoniness.
2022 Sancerre ‘Le Chêne Marchand’
NEW RELEASE
Le Chêne Marchand is the name of a south and south east facing the village of Bué. Thesevines grow on a chalky soil known as ‘caillottes’, meaning tiny flat stones covering theground and which have the particularity to restitute day heat at night. These vines arearound 45 years old on average. Grapes are hand harvested and rigorously sorted.
A very fresh, pure and aromatic wine. This Sancerre is complex and concentrated with gooseberry, blackcurrant leaf and hints of honey overlaid with minerality and held tightly by a core of acidity. The finish is elegant and long with flint and ripe apple leaving a lasting impression.
2022 Sancerre Rouge ‘Pinot Noir’
NEW RELEASE
With impressive mastery, the 2022 red Sancerre is pulpy and precise, framed by a ripe and dynamic structure. At perfect maturity, it is an exemplary Pinot Noir, with beautifully structured sap, featuring a superb length that is finely extracted and delicately saline.