Pascal Cotat Chavignol Rose, Loire, Vin de France 2023

The venerable Cotat estate holds vineyards in the top-rated village of Chavignol, making tiny quantities of absolutely unforgettable wines. In fact, these wines are so distinctive that certain vintages were forbidden from using the Sancerre appellation, as they were deemed “atypical” for Sancerre. Regardless of whether they are called Sancerre or not, they are certainly outstanding in quality, exhibiting a perfect balance between fruit, minerality and acidity. Today they are recognized as the top producers in all of Sancerre. From 1947 until the early 1990’s, the Cotat family, under the direction of brothers Francis and Paul, made a single cuvee in one cellar for each of their brothers designated wines, but bottled it under two separate labels. Upon retiring, the Cotat brothers turned their vineyards over to each of their sons, Francis’s son Pascal and Paul’s son Francois. Today the cousins produce their wines in separate cellars, but each still practices the same traditional winemaking techniques mastered by their fathers.

80+ year old vines, 100% Pinot Noir