Domaine Daniel Crochet, Sancerre, Loire Valley

Daniel Crochet took over part of the family vineyards in 1999 after finishing studies at the viticultural college of Avize. Today he has 9 hectares of his own that include 6 of sauvignon and 3 of pinot.
 
While all his vines are planted within the prestigious cru of Bué, these are split between the argilo-calcaire and harder caillottes for the sauvignon and the argilo-calcaire for the pinot. Half grassed through to limit yields (essential in the heavier soils but still unusual in the region) and to help the concentration of the wines, the rest are ‘travaillé’ as Daniel refuses to use any lasting weed killers in the vineyards.
 
Harvesting for all the reds and half the whites is by hand - notably the case with the steep Plante des Près vineyard, 2/3rds of which is fermented in oak before being assembled with the vat-fermented part. After pressing the juice goes through a cool débourbage before fermenting at controlled temperatures in impeccably maintained enamelled steel vats, giving that attractive, classic ‘Bué’ style that marries blackcurrant leaf aromas, minerality and gras.
 
While making a small amount of rosé (mostly pressurage rather than saignée), he also makes two reds, with 40% of the ‘classic’ Domaine cuvée spending 6 months or more in oak while the old vines Prestige spends a year maturing in barrique.
 
A new estate with well run vineyards, plans for a new winery in a year’s time - and finally mastered vinifications in one of Sancerre’s finest crus.

Wine to Watch: Sancerre 2007 £11.75 per bottle

<< Back to producers list