2015 Domaine Dominique et Janine Crochet Sancerre

A Winemaker is born in Bué-en-Sancerre

In the spring of 2010, winemaker Dominique Roger introduced us to his neighbor, Janine Crochet. As Dominique had explained before leading us up the road in Bué-en-Sancerre, Janine’s husband, also named Dominique, had passed away suddenly. The Crochets needed help. Dominique Roger asked WineAccess to lend a hand.

We pulled up chairs at the dining room table and listened as Janine explained the challenges facing her family. “We only have 10 hectares, but the land is divided over 40 different parcels. Teddy has been tending the vines since he was a child, and he works like his father did, so that’s not a problem. Our neighbors, including Dominique, are helping Teddy in the cellar. So that’s comforting. But when it comes to selling our wine all over Europe as he had — without my husband — I’m at a loss.”

As we listened, we swirled and sipped Dominique Crochet’s last Sancerre, the wonderfully mineral 2009. Then we met eyes with Dominique Roger and our emotions got the best of us: We locked into four pallets of Crochet Sancerre.

Since that 2009, we featured several more vintages of Domaine Dominique et Janine Crochet Sancerre. All received solid ratings and reviews from buyers. But over a remarkable streak of recent vintages, we’ve watched Teddy transform into one of Sancerre’s brightest talents right before our eyes. In our opinion, 2013 signaled the turning point: He churned out a richly layered, finely chiseled Sauvignon Blanc that raised eyebrows even in Bué. With the gorgeously structured 2014, it became clear he was destined for greatness, drawing comparisons to the superstar vignerons of the village: Vincent Pinard and Janine’s close friend, Dominique Roger. Now, with the release of the magnificent 2015, Teddy has shattered expectations yet again. Here’s why.    

The 2015 growing season got off to an epic start and never slowed down. A warm, dry spring gave way to a hot and sunny summer, leaving no doubt that the 2015 vintage in Sancerre would be one of the best in recent memory. From Amigny to Chavignol, it was smooth sailing clear through the end of August, without any of the usual hurdles (hail, mildew, etc.) the Sancerrois face in more challenging years.By the time the call to harvest came at the beginning of September — one of the earliest on record — the Sauvignon grapes planted in the limestone hillsides of Bué-en-Sancerre had ripened to perfect maturity. Fruit quality was off the charts. While many made good wine in 2015, the vintage allowed gifted winemakers like Teddy to truly shine. Rarely have we seen wines of such mouthwatering intensity and concentration, with all the electric, mineral-driven acidity that screams top Sancerre.

The 2015 Dominique et Janine Crochet Sancerre is pale yellow. Enticing aromas of ripe apple and pear, orange pith, and anise. Broad and juicy, refined and tightly focused, combining saline minerality with ripe citrus and apple flavors, finishing with excellent vivacity, persistence, and length, arguing gracefully for a 4- to 6-year rest in the coolest of cellars.

That’s good, but this is even better: Janine Crochet has never forgotten that spring afternoon at her table in 2010, and has raised her price just 10% over the last five years. Now, with the dollar continuing to rake the euro over the coals, one of the highest-rated Sancerres in WineAccess history has become our most riveting white wine bargain.

$32/bottle on release. Just $17 today. NO MISPRINT. Shipping included on 6. LAST CALL!

• ABV 12.70%
• Enjoy right away
• % Sauvignon Blanc