Yes. We are so stoked. The much sought-after wines from François Cotat (the elusive and revered winemaker from Chavignol) are back. François has definitely built a reputation for producing some of the most idiosyncratic and iconic white wines out there and we're so pleased they're on our shelves. He carries on the artisanal, low-intervention legacy of his father and uncle (Paul and Francis) who started everything. Exacting in the vineyard, yields are purposefully kept low, only fully ripe grapes are are hand-harvested and done so a week later than others in the region and winemaking is meticulous in the cellar. He uses natural yeasts only, no debourrage (the settling of juice before moving it around), no sulphur during fermentation and only one battonage (the stirring of lees through the juice in barrels) during maturation. François even racks according to moon cycles. When you put it all together it makes for crystalline wines of great complexity, purity and depth.
These wines are unreal and atypical of modern sauvignon blanc. They're complex, dense and powerful, requiring time to unravel. Sancerre of the highest order. Caillottes, as the name suggests is born of rocky and chalky soil, hums with minerality and citrus. Monts Damnes, 'the benchmark' example comes from the most imposing vineyard and boy does it deliver with it's cool, lazer-like acidity. Grande Cote, flamboyant cousin of the bunch, is a more voluptuous and fuller textured version. Named after his father and a nod to old-style Chavignol, Cuvee Paul is the rare bird here – it's not made every year and only the richest, best examples of Grande Cote are used. Sauvignon blanc characteristics with an anise and cardamom undercurrent undercurrent amongst more classic citrus fruit freshness and saline minerality. Unreal. And, surprise! A rosé! Silky, gently floral and brimming with Cotat's trademark minerality. This one has a cult following and will disappear.
