Day Trip to the Sancerre and Pouilly Vineyards
In a fun and educational way, travel this part of the Loire Valley, which could well be the cradle of Sauvignon in France... Why has this grape earned its reputation t...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2020: best 2023 to 2045.
vintage3 yrs25 yrs27 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Vinous reviewed 2023 | 2020 | 94/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
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.More wines for lobster →
- Roast guinea fowl Honey and stone-fruit aromatics partner roasting jus; high acid handles white-meat fat.More wines for chicken and white meat →
- Sancerre cheese plate Crottin de Chavignol, Selles-sur-Cher and Sainte-Maure all sing with Cotat's saline, stony Sauvignon.More wines for cheese →
- Hot-smoked trout Smoky fish meets the wine's stony mineral profile; lemon-zest finish substitutes for a citrus garnish.More wines for trout →
With cheese
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.
- 1998François 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
Taste it where it is made: tastings near Domaine François Cotat
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