Lucien Crochet : Le Chêne Marchand 2018

Lucien Crochet creates a supple and mineral Sancerre wine

The estate

Founded from the merging of the estates of André Crochet and Lucian Picard, Lucian Crochet has gradually expanded to its current area size of 38 hectares in the Sancerre appellation. The vineyard stretches over the village of Bué, but also Sancerre,  Crézancy et Vinon. It grows sauvignon blanc across 29 hectares and pinot noir in nine.

The vineyard

Le Chêne Marchand 2018 from Lucien Crochet is a Sancerre wine stemming from a blend of several plots in multiple orientations (south, south-east, south-west), planted halfway up a hillside, at an altitude of between 240m and 260m in the hamlet "Le Chêne Marchand." The shallow, well-drained soils rest on a superior Oxfordian limestone terroir, called caillottes.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage was characterised by steady rains in winter and spring, followed by a summer heatwave. After early hot weather, budburst took place in mid-April and flowering at the beginning of June. The grapes ripened in summer conditions and the harvests started at the beginning of September in above-average temperatures.

Winemaking and ageing

Gathered by hand, the grapes were pressed in whole bunches. After a cold settling over 36 hours, the fermentation took place in stainless steel vats and half-casks (around 10 %) over 20-30 days. The wine was aged on entire lees over 10 months then racked and assembled at the end of July 2019. Additional ageing on fine lees took place over five months then filtration, after which the wine was bottled in January 2020.

Blend

Sauvignon blanc (100%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Le Chêne Marchand 2018 from Lucien Crochet

Tasting

Colour
The colour has a white gold hue with silvery highlights.

Nose
Opening discreetly, the nose then unveils fragrances of beeswax, nougat and honey. After aeration, the aromatic bouquet becomes more complex with scents of mirabelle plum and lemon tart, concluded by woody and spicy notes. The minerality accompanies throughout with a beautifully chalky structure.

Palate
Supple from the outset, the palate is full and chalky with vanilla and nougat notes as well as raisin and dried apricot scents. The finish is warm and lasting.

Storage

Le Chêne Marchand 2018 from Lucien Crochet can be laid down until about 2026.

To serve

To fully enjoy the scents of this wine, serve at 14°C.

Food and wine pairings

This Loire wine is a perfect accompaniment to red meat, game and duck.