François Crochet, an accomplished winemaker who honed his skills with Bruno Clair in Burgundy, before returning to his family vineyards in the Loire to craft some of Sancerre’s finest Sauvignon Blanc. Despite being less widely recognized than producers like Vatan, Cotat, and Vacheron he is right up there with the best of them and is making incredible Sancerre. Known for his early harvest approach, François’s wines avoid any greenness, instead offering a balanced harmony of fruit, acidity, and minerality. His vines in Le Chêne Marchand, one of Sancerre's premier sites, are 40 years old and rooted in organically farmed, high-elevation calcareous clay with limestone pebbles, adding richness and a vibrant mineral character. This vintage, aged mainly in neutral oak with a hint of new oak, reveals lovely aromas of orchard blossoms, yellow fruits, earth, and dried herbs. On the palate, it has a beguiling texture with a blend of richness and acidity, leading to a power-driven, dry finish. It’s among the best Sancerre tasted this vintage and we have the only bottles available on the west coast!

Vinous (Rebecca Gibb MW ) 93 points! " The 2022 Le Chêne Marchand is a blend of five parcels that make up 1.5ha out of this lieu dit's 27ha size. The wine exudes a rare clarity and precision. It is medium-bodied at most and has a supple tenderness on the mid-palate from this fleshy, warm season. It's a style that exudes a sense of effortlessness while retaining its shape. The palate shows a little oak, but this will be digested over time. (Drink between 2025-2033)"