Lucien Crochet Cuvée Prestige

Grown on the oldest vines from the best vintages.

Terroir: A combination of two terroirs – Oxfordian caillottes and Kimmeridgian marls.

Vineyard: Some of the vineyards have grass growing between the vines while in others the soil is ploughed in the winter and hoed.

Pruning: Single Guyot and Cordon de Royat. Disbudding and desuckering.

The vines: Pinot Noir. Density is 7,000 vines per hectare. The average age of the vines is 50 years.

Vinification: The grapes are hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard before being brought to the winery in 40 kg crates. They are table sorted at the winery and completely destemmed. A belt is used to transfer the grapes to the tanks. Cold pre-fermentation maceration last for 7 days and alcoholic fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures for 7 days followed by post-fermentation maceration for 14 days. Regular punching of the cap and pumping over the must. A belt is used for devatting. The grapes are then pressed very gently using a pneumatic press. Ageing: 40% in new oak, 30% in one-year old barrels and 30 % in two-year old barrels. Bottled in July 2008.

Tasting notes: Deep ruby, brilliant. Red fruit, strawberry and cherry. Elegant attack, presence of tannins, flavours of cherries in brandy. This wine reflects a succeeded Pinot Noir of Sancerre.               Serving: Serve at 14–15°C. A perfect match with grilled red meats, small-feathered game.

Ageing potential: 8 to 10 years.