Sancerre Les Monts Damne 2022 Francois Cotat

Tasting Note Sancerre Les Monts Damne 2022

Initially, aromas of grapefruit peel and white peach emerge, followed by notes of chalk dust. It is well-ripened but not soft. The mid-palate reveals high acidity, and the texture feels rock-hard rather than creamy. The finish is salty, with the fruit flavors receding into the background. Cotat's Les Monts Damnés 2022 is delicious enough to enjoy right now in a large glass. And it was clearly made to age longer.

Grape Varieties

Sancerre Les Monts Damnés 2022 is made from a single grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc, 100%

Because it was harvested at a level of ripeness most Sancerre growers typically avoid, this wine exhibits the flavors and body of orchard fruits rather than the grassy and gooseberry notes typical of this appellation. The Kimmeridgian limestone provides sufficient acidity to balance all these ripeness levels.

Cellaring Potential

Best enjoyed through 2038. High acidity and the concentration resulting from a late harvest are this wine's primary characteristics; its rock-hard texture softens into a broader flavor profile as it ages. Serve cool, around 10-12°C, but not cold. It's best served in a large glass rather than a small one.

About Francois Cotat

Most Sancerre is made to be drunk young. In contrast, François Cotat takes the exact opposite approach: grapes are harvested by hand very late in the season from the steep slopes above Chavignol, fermented with wild yeast in old demi-muids (large oak barrels) that no longer impart oak aromas, and then bottled without any clarification or filtration. Racking is performed according to the lunar cycle. The operation is small-scale.

The total area is approximately 4 hectares, of which about 3.5 hectares are planted with the Sauvignon Blanc variety and 0.5 hectares with the Pinot Noir variety; the vines lie in Les Monts Damnés, La Grande Côte and Les Culs de Beaujeu; in addition, the Caillottes section, which features flatter terrain, is home to young vines. Beneath the surface lies chalk from the same geological formation that runs through Chablis, overlaid with clay and limestone that local residents call terres blanches. Furthermore, these wines deviate so significantly from the appellation's standards that, for certain vintages, the designation Sancerre could not be used. The estate separated from cousin Pascal's in 1998.

Vineyard & Terroir

Les Monts Damnés is situated at a higher elevation than Chavignol, in the western corner of the Sancerre appellation in the Centre-Loire. Beneath the surface lies a chalk plateau from the same geological vein as Chablis, covered by a layer that local growers call terres blanches (white earth). Kimmeridgian marl: A dry, stony limestone composed of a mixture of flint, clay, and silica. There is almost no topsoil on the slopes. Thanks to this combination, Sauvignon Blanc possesses a firm, chalky texture and a mineral character that survives even in ripe years.

Winemaking

It all begins with a late harvest. Since fully ripe fruit requires a winemaking process that leaves it completely undisturbed, François Cotat ferments in old demi-muids and ages the wine in larger tonneaux. Since the wood has long since imparted all its aroma, it adds no new notes. The process of transferring the wine to different barrels is carried out according to the lunar cycle. Because no fining or filtration is performed, the young Les Monts Damnés wine may appear cloudy and taste somewhat rough. Although no pesticides are used on the vines, the wines are not certified organic.

Food Pairing: Sancerre Les Monts Damne by Francois Cotat

Goat cheese is a regional specialty, and Crottin de Chavignol is produced in the same village. Other pairings include:

• Grilled: Crisp-skinned sea bream, served simply with lemon
• Oysters: Paired with shellfish, a dish where the salty flavor harmonizes with the seawater
• Roast: Chicken with herbs; this Sauvignon has the depth of flavor to hold its own in such a dish

It's best to keep the sauce simple so that the acidity can take center stage.