FrancoisCotatSancerreLaGrandeCote2019

François Cotat produces idiosyncratic, complex, and age-worthy Sancerres from his tiny three-hectare estate. It sits at the heart of the prized Chavignol commune, which lies on Kimmeridgian clay and Caillotte soils. The steep slopes (in the vineyards of Les Monts Damnés, Le Cul de Beaujeu, and La Grande Côte) make cultivation arduous and must be done entirely by hand. The grapes are late-picked for maximum flavour, and in the winery, François adopts a very traditional, non-interventionist approach, barrel-fermenting the juice in old demi-muids using natural yeasts. At times, Françoisâ€?wines have had to be declassified to “simpleâ€?Vin de Table status due to a higher level of residual sugar or alcohol than the appellation’s rules permit or simply because the local committee finds them too atypical. François racks according to the phases of the moon. The wines develop with age and, in the best vintages, can be cellared for more than 50 years.rrWeather: The 2019 vintage faced challenging weather but resulted in high-quality wines. A mild winter was followed by frost episodes in April-May, though Sancerre escaped major damage. A rainy June caused some fruit loss, but from late June to September, the weather turned hot and dry, leading to reduced yields but excellent fruit quality. The Sauvignon Blanc wines from this vintage are noted for their ripeness, bright acidity, and balance, making them enjoyable both young and with aging potential.rrTechnical Information: rGrape: 100% Sauvignon BlancrRegion: France | Loire Valley | SancerrerWinemaker: Francois CotatrAlcohol: 13.5%rClosure: CorkrDrink: Now to 12 Years+rrTasting Note: The 2019 Sancerre Blanc La Grande Côte reveals a light gold hue that has tinge of green to go with racy notes of bright lemon zest, grapefruit, white flowers, salted almonds, and a touch of obvious mineral-like nuances. It has beautiful depth of fruit on the palate, playing in the medium-bodied, concentrated end of the spectrum. With plenty of dry extract, integrated yet high acidity, and a great, dry finish, this rock star of a Sancerre can be enjoyed any time over the coming 10-12 years â€?Tasted by Jebb Dunnuck