Shop Domaine Pascal Cotat
Cotat Sancerre stands as a pinnacle of Sauvignon Blanc excellence, embodying a truly unique expression that distinguishes itself on the global stage. Mirroring the skill of his relative François, Pascal Cotat masterfully shapes wines that transcend conventional boundaries, possessing an extraordinary capacity to evolve gracefully over decades. These remarkable creations seamlessly blend opulent richness with a precise, dynamic character.
For generations, the Cotat family has nurtured Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir vines on the revered slopes of Monts Damnés in Chavignol, a tradition dating back to the aftermath of World War II. It wasn't until the 1990s that the torch was passed to François and Pascal, sons of brothers Paul and Francis Cotat, respectively, marking a new chapter for the family domaine.
Today, the legacy thrives through two distinct wineries: one in Chavignol, under François Cotat's stewardship, and another in Sancerre, overseen by Pascal Cotat. Despite separate locales, both cousins uphold the family tradition by crafting wines sourced from venerable Sauvignon Blanc vines nestled in Chavignol's most esteemed vineyards.
Located in the western portion of the Sancerre appellation, Chavignol has a unique type of soil called, in French, “terres blanches.” The region is essentially a chalk plateau (the same vein as is found in Chablis) with clay and limestone soils. The top vineyards, ‘Monts Damnés,’ ‘Grande Côte,’ and ‘Les Culs de Beaujeu,’ are perched on steep hillsides with little topsoil.
Cotat as a rule harvests by hand and very late, as pushing ripeness to the extreme is one element that gives these wines their weighty texture and complexity. While Cotat is not organically certified, his habits are more or less according to organic principles. He does not treat his vines with pesticides; uses only indigenous yeasts for fermentation; and follows the lunar cycle for racking. Wines are barrel-fermented in older demi-muids and aged in larger tonneaux. All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
