Domaine François Cotat Sancerre Chavignol La Grande Côte 2023
Domaine François Cotat
François Cotat's La Grande Côte vineyard sits on some of the steepest Kimmeridgian clay-limestone slopes in Chavignol, and the resulting wine has a density and power that most Sancerre simply cannot achieve. The 2023 vintage delivers a gorgeous balance of richness and acidity — a benchmark for the appellation.
Nose
Intense gooseberry and citrus zest open with piercing clarity, followed by a flinty minerality and a subtle smoky note. White flowers and a hint of green apple add complexity.
Palate
Concentrated and textural — this is not a lean Sancerre. The palate delivers layers of citrus, gooseberry, and a honeyed mid-palate weight, underscored by chalky minerality and bright acidity that keeps everything taut.
Finish
Long and precise, with lingering mineral tension, citrus peel, and a faint herbal bitterness that begs the next sip.
- Varietal
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Blend
- 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Vineyards
- La Grande Côte, Chavignol, Sancerre
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
- Skin Contact
- No
Food Pairing
A round of local Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese at its chalky, semi-aged stage, served with slices of toasted walnut bread and a drizzle of chestnut honey — the classic pairing for the wine born on these same hillsides.
Vinified by François Cotat from old vines on the steep, south-facing La Grande Côte slope in Chavignol — one of Sancerre's most prized vineyard sites — using wild yeasts and extended lees contact in old oak.
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