Domaine Pascal Cotat - Sancerre Blanc - Les Monts Damnés 2025
A key figure in the great wines of Sancerre, Pascal Cotat continues a family tradition in Chavignol based on respect for the terroirs and an artisanal approach to viticulture. His estate, of a particularly confidential size, is among the most sought-after references in the Loire. Les Monts Damnés, one of the most prestigious lieux-dits of the appellation, occupies a spectacular hillside whose steep slopes make vineyard work particularly demanding. The Kimmeridgian marl soils, rich in limestone and marine fossils, provide a privileged environment for Sauvignon Blanc. On these white lands, the grapes acquire remarkable concentration while maintaining a structuring acidity. The 2025 vintage fits into this quest for a deep, unique, and authentic expression of the Chavignol terroir.
Faithful to the methods passed down by his father Francis, Pascal Cotat favors limited interventions and a particularly advanced ripeness of the grapes. The harvest is done manually, often later than other producers in the appellation, to seek optimal aromatic richness. Fermentations occur spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts, in old 600-liter demi-muids of oak. Aging continues in these old containers, whose aromatic neutrality preserves the identity of the Sauvignon without imposing any woody character. The wine is traditionally bottled without fining or filtration, thus retaining all its substance and complexity. This low-intervention winemaking gives rise to Sancerres of exceptional depth and longevity, far removed from the simply varietal expressions of the appellation.
Les Monts Damnés 2025 promises a particularly expressive interpretation of Sauvignon Blanc, combining richness of texture, mineral precision, and remarkable persistence. The characteristic profile of this cuvée evokes ripe citrus fruits, candied lemon, white peach, and yellow fruits, accompanied by floral nuances and a subtle chalky dimension. On the palate, the natural breadth of the fruit balances with an energetic acidic framework that brings relief and freshness to the whole. The dense and enveloping substance maintains remarkable tension, while the finish extends on saline and stony impressions. This great gastronomic white will ideally accompany noble fish, crustaceans, creamy poultry, or an aged Crottin de Chavignol. Its structure and concentration will allow it to gain complexity over the years, gradually revealing all the nobility of this exceptional terroir.
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
