The dynamic François Crochet has made wines in New Zealand and Bordeaux, and now uses his broad experience wisely. The estate consists of some 10 hectares, mostly planted on the limestone slopes surrounding the prestigious village of Bué. To make Sancerre that measures with the best of the appellation, Francois pays a great deal of attention to the quality of his grapes. At harvest he handpicks and this results in expressive wines with the distinctively pungent, flinty characters that the terroir delivers. Pale straw in colour it offers piercing aromas of grapefruit, fresh cut grass, white flowers, gooseberry and minerals with notes reminiscent of the local cheese `Crotin de Chavignol` in the background. Time on lees before release gives the wine a lovely textural mouthfeel while a straight line of crunchy acid gives structure and focus. This is what textbook Sauvignon Blanc is all about.