Domaine Pascal Cotat - Sancerre Blanc - La Grande Côte 2025
In Chavignol, in the heart of the Sancerre region, Pascal Cotat continues the family legacy of demanding viticulture, dedicated to expressing the finest terroirs of the appellation. His estate of about 2.3 hectares, resulting from the division of the family vineyards in 1998, is distinguished by a limited production and white wines of remarkable depth. Among his two emblematic cuvées, La Grande Côte holds a special place, offering a broader and more generous interpretation of Sauvignon Blanc than that of Les Monts Damnés. Located on the slopes of Chavignol, this historic plot rests on white soils made up of Kimmeridgian marls, rich in clays and marine fossils. These limestone soils promote regular water supply and contribute to grape concentration while preserving the freshness essential to the wine's balance. The 2025 vintage confirms the uniqueness of this terroir, capable of combining power, depth, and precision in a particularly refined expression of Sauvignon.
Pascal Cotat’s work is based on traditional methods inherited from his father Francis, with particular attention to grape maturity and respect for their natural expression. The vines are cultivated according to principles close to organic farming, without seeking high yields, while the steep slopes require a significant amount of manual work. Harvesting is done at advanced maturity, allowing for concentrated grapes and aromatic richness that is one of the estate’s signatures. After delicate pressing, fermentations occur naturally under the action of indigenous yeasts in old 600-liter oak demi-muids. Aging in these containers promotes measured oxygenation without imparting woody aromas to the wine. The traditional absence of fining and filtration helps preserve the texture and complexity of these great Sancerres, whose personality gradually asserts itself with aging.
La Grande Côte 2025 stands out with a particularly enveloping profile, where the generosity of the fruit is accompanied by a persistent mineral tension. The bouquet reveals aromas of ripe citrus, pear, yellow peach, and white-fleshed fruits, enhanced by floral nuances, fresh almond, and wet stone. The attack reveals a broad and silky texture, supported by precise acidity that brings energy to a dense and structured palate. Broader and fleshier than Les Monts Damnés, this wine nevertheless retains remarkable energy, with a long, chalky, and delicately saline finish. Its balance between maturity and freshness makes it a privileged companion for river fish, roasted langoustines, scallops, or poultry with morels. Intended to evolve favorably in the cellar, it will develop over the years more complex notes of fine honey, candied fruits, and undergrowth, characteristic of the great Sauvignons of Chavignol.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
