Francois Cotat

The 3-hectare Cotat Domaine is located in the Chavignol village in the western part of Sancerre. The Cotat family has been making wine in Chavignol since the end of WW2, but it was only in 1990, that current generation, Francois, took over the running of the Domaine from his father. The vineyards are spread over three top sites, Les Monts Damnes, Le Cul de Beaujeu and La Grande Cote – all of which are on very steep hillsides with terres blanches (clay over limestone) soils.

Francois likes to push the ripeness potential of his grapes and tends to always be one of the last to harvest in the region – this, he finds, gives depth of texture and layers of complexity – just one of many reasons why these wines are so revered by wine lovers far and wide. Organic principles are used in the vineyards but without certification and in the cellar, minimal intervention is the recipe for maximum terroir expression. Wines are barrel fermented in old demi-muids using natural yeasts and ageing takes place in older tonneaux barrels.

Francois, not one for following the rules if that means not delivering the finest expression of Sauvignon Blanc, occasionally – in vintages when the wines have too high alcohol or residual sugar levels for the Sancerre appellation’s regulations – sells the wines as ‘Vin de France’ These are rich, exotic, and full-flavoured wines, and indeed some of the finest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc which can be found.

We offer the following Loire from Francois Cotat:

• Francois Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnes