From: Sancerre, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: The soil composition of Crochet's vineyards yields wines that are highly aromatic with an excellent balance of pure and delicate fruit with fine minerality. This shows bright, fresh red fruit, cherry, cranberry, and a bit of earthiness. It falls somewhere between light and medium body.
Pairing: This is a great food wine that would pair nicely with salmon or pork.
Sancerre has become synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc, but the region's Pinot Noir should not be overlooked. Dom. Lucien Crochet is a favorite for Sauvignon Blanc, and this Pinot shows equal verve. Gilles Crochet, Lucien's son who is now at the helm, trained at Domaine Dujac in Morey-Saint-Denis and brings a Burgundian sensibility to his winemaking. His Pinot is grown organically on the south and east-facing slopes to capture every bit of sunshine. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified with native yeasts, then spend 22 months in a combination of barrel and stainless steel.