2023 Francois Cotat

Few domaines in the Loire Valley command the same reverence among connoisseurs as François Cotat. For generations, the Cotat family has tended their steep, chalky slopes in Chavignol, producing Sancerre that transcends the appellation. François, carrying on the legacy of his father and uncle, crafts wines in the most traditional sense: meticulous hand harvesting, slow fermentations, and élevage that respects the natural balance of the fruit and terroir. The result is a style that speaks quietly but with profound depth.

The magic of the Cotat’s wines lies in the unique Kimmeridgian limestone soils, studded with marine fossils that date back millions of years. These ancient chalk and marl slopes give the wines their crystalline minerality and razor-sharp definition. The wines are fermented with natural yeasts in old demi-muids and barriques. The barrels are old enough that they impart no noticeable oak flavor, rather their role is to allow the wines to breathe gently and evolve slowly. The combination of terroir and the domaine’s low-intervention approach results in wines that are less about immediate fruit and more about tension, precision, and length.

I have a hard time keeping my hands off these wines as the tension and lip smacking acidity is something I love about Sancerre. These wines honestly deserve some time in the cellar, they age like white burgundy and develop nuance and complexity that have to be tasted to be believed. With age they display smoky flint, wild herbs, honeyed citrus, and that unmistakable mineral core. Patience is definitely rewarded with these wines but if searing acidity that is amazingly fresh, they are a perfect pairing with that simple preparation of grilled halibut.

No reviews yet for 2023 but expect the same mid 90’s scores we saw with 2022!