2009 Lucien Crochet, Sancerre, Loire Valley White, France. "After years of enjoying the wines made by Gilles Crochet and his father Lucien before him, I finally paid this estate a visit and was especially impressed by a much larger scope (encompassing around 80 acres) and facilities than I had imagined. This is one top-notch source for Sancerre whose principle wines are by no means rarities. White pepper and nettle that I imagine pointing toward the wine’s flint component combine with the citrus and berry for a strikingly pungent as well as saline, chalky, long-lasting palate impression so that, as Crochet notes, despite high ripeness and just over 13.5% alcohol, it’s still “very Sauvignon” as well as “very straight Sancerre.” Given that the high ripeness of this vintage does not seem to lend itself to nuance, charm, or (with some exceptions) really luscious tropical fruit character, I’ll be happy to settle over the next couple of years for the rectitude displayed here! " Wine Advocate