Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninlow
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2020: best 2023 to 2045.
vintage3 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Vinous reviewed 2023202094/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Full-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: yellow plum, honey, stony mineral, salt

Palate: lemon zest, honey, stone fruit, saline finish

Cotat's southern Chavignol parcel: laser-like Kimmeridgian minerality, vibrant salinity and yellow fruits that evolve toward honey and rock with bottle age.

What it pairs with

  • Lobster bisque
    Rich shellfish soup meets the wine's textural weight; saline finish refreshes between spoonfuls.
  • Roast guinea fowl
    Honey and stone-fruit aromatics partner roasting jus; high acid handles white-meat fat.
  • Sancerre cheese plate
    Crottin de Chavignol, Selles-sur-Cher and Sainte-Maure all sing with Cotat's saline, stony Sauvignon.
  • Hot-smoked trout
    Smoky fish meets the wine's stony mineral profile; lemon-zest finish substitutes for a citrus garnish.

History

La Grande Côte is Cotat's south-facing parcel in Amigny on chalk-rich Kimmeridgian marl, the same vein that defines Chablis. The cuvée evokes Chablis grand cru in its mineral signature.

  1. 1998: François Cotat continues the family bottling tradition

Facts

Producer
Domaine François Cotat · visiting guide
Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Classification
Sancerre AOC
Oak
Fermented in old oak barriques; aged on fine lees, no new oak, unfined and unfiltered
ABV
13.5%
Price
EUR 80 to 140 at retail
Drinking window
3-25 from vintage
First vintage
1998

Frequently asked about Sancerre La Grande Côte

What does Cotat La Grande Côte taste like?

Yellow plum, honey, stony mineral and salt on the nose; lemon zest, honey, stone fruit and saline finish on the palate. Full-bodied with high acidity and a long, laser-like finish.

When should I drink La Grande Côte?

Drink between 3 and 25 years from vintage. The 0.9 hectare south-facing parcel produces wines that develop honey, rock and dried-fruit complexity with cellar time.

Where is La Grande Côte grown?

A 0.9 hectare south-facing parcel in Amigny on Kimmeridgian marls, the same chalky vein that runs through Chablis.

What food pairs with La Grande Côte?

Lobster bisque, roast guinea fowl and the local Sancerre cheese plate are textbook pairings. The full body and high acid handle rich shellfish and aged goat cheese.

Tags

cellar worthy cult wine dry full body high acid iconic mood contemplative mood elegant mood savoury occasion cellar occasion dinner party occasion special old vines old world pairs with poultry pairs with shellfish pairs with soft cheese pairs with white fish price fine sauvignon blanc single vineyard still white

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