2023 François Cotat Sancerre "La Grande Côte", Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

2023 François Cotat Sancerre “La Grande Côte” is a benchmark expression of Sauvignon Blanc from one of the Loire Valley’s most revered winemakers. Sourced from 40-year-old vines grown on steep, chalky Kimmeridgian slopes just outside the village of Chavignol, this wine speaks clearly of its distinctive terroir. The vineyard, known for its mineral-rich soils and dramatic exposure, gives rise to a wine that is both powerful and precise.

Winemaking at François Cotat is low-intervention and deeply traditional. Grapes are harvested by hand, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged in older, large-format oak barrels. There is no fining or filtration, and sulfur use is minimal. This natural approach yields a wine of remarkable purity and structure, a vivid reflection of both place and vintage.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

François Cotat is one of the most revered names in Sancerre, producing deeply expressive Sauvignon Blancs from some of the region’s most prized vineyards in Chavignol. The Cotat family began making wine in the 1940s, with François inheriting both the legacy and the original cellar from his father, Paul. Today, he farms just over four hectares of steep, chalky vineyards—including Monts Damnés, Culs de Beaujeu, and La Grande Côte—using traditional, hands-off methods that highlight the purity of the terroir.

Cotat’s winemaking is artisanal and intuitive. Grapes are harvested by hand—often later than most producers—to ensure full ripeness, then fermented with native yeasts in old wooden barrels. He avoids fining, filtration, and excessive sulfur, allowing the wines to evolve slowly and honestly. The resulting Sancerres are rich, mineral-driven, and textured, with a remarkable ability to age—often improving for decades, a rarity in the appellation.

Though his wines are technically classified under the Sancerre AOC, they frequently transcend the category in both style and stature. They are dense yet precise, often compared to fine white Burgundy or aged Riesling. Coveted by collectors and sommeliers alike, François Cotat's wines are produced in tiny quantities and sell out quickly, affirming his quiet, enduring reputation as one of the Loire Valley’s most exceptional vignerons.