Pascal Cotat Chavignol Les Monts Damnes 2023

"100% Sauvignon Blanc
Considered one of the top vineyards in all of Sancerre
South facing, very steep slope on pure limestone
45+ year old vines
Indigenous yeast
Fermented and very old demi-muids and aged in old barrels
Unfined and unfiltered

The venerable Cotat estate holds vineyards in the top-rated village of Chavignol, making tiny quantities of absolutely unforgettable wines. In fact, these wines are so distinctive that certain vintages were forbidden from using the Sancerre appellation, as they were deemed “atypical” for Sancerre. Regardless of whether they are called Sancerre or not, they are certainly outstanding in quality, exhibiting a perfect balance between fruit, minerality and acidity. Today they are recognized as the top producers in all of Sancerre. From 1947 until the early 1990’s, the Cotat family, under the direction of brothers Francis and Paul, made a single cuvee in one cellar for each of their brothers designated wines, but bottled it under two separate labels. Upon retiring, the Cotat brothers turned their vineyards over to each of their sons, Francis’s son Pascal and Paul’s son Francois. Today the cousins produce their wines in separate cellars, but each still practices the same traditional winemaking techniques mastered by their fathers." -Supplier notes