Pascal Cotat : Les Monts Damnes 2016

Known as one of the most unique examples of single-varietal Sauvignon Blanc in the world, the wines of Pascal Cotat are a must-try for any wine-lover on a journey to explore the Sancerre region. The single-vineyard cuvee comes from the very steep Les Monts Damnes vineyard, situated on a plateau whose topsoil is essentially made of pure Kimmeridgian chalk. Because of this rare soil type, the vineyard is considered one of the best in the village of Chavignol. The grapes are hand-harvested and pressed with the whole cluster, then fermented with indigenous yeasts in demi-muids. They are then aged in large tonneaux for over one year and bottled without being fined or filtered.

 

The Pascal Cotat Les Monts Damnes 2016 displays a bright yellow color with green reflections and a silver rim. On the nose, the wine offers generous aromas of melon, passion fruit and yellow apple, along with white flowers and oyster shells. On the palate, this Sancerre is incredibly rich, yet razor-sharp, creamy but light, expressing stone fruit, citrus peel and a deep minerality which lingers on a wonderfully long finish. This wine has an impressive cellaring potential, and is best when consumed a decade after it is bottled.