2022 Francois Cotat Sancerre Caillottes

The domaine of Francois Cotat is a tiny 4 hectares, and has been making some of the most exceptional wines of the Loire since 1947. Their success and individuality can be attributed to François' intense passion for creating the finest wine possible and his exceptionally placed vineyards. Prudent viticulture combined with densely planted vines, ultra-low yields and relatively late harvesting produces fantastically flavoursome fruit. Whilst not Biodynamic, Francois uses organic fertilisers and racks according to the phases of the moon. His incredible wines develop with age and, in the best vintages, can be cellared for more than 30 years.

This used to be called "Jeunes Vignes" but François has been vinifing “Caillottes” separately since 2005; the vineyard name refers to a type of soil found in Sancerre—very rocky and chalky. This is a wine that will keep and improve for many years.

Other Reviews....
François Cotat's 2022 Caillottes is a lighter-bodied, delicate wine with fine tension and texture, which Cotat believes is down to the vineyard's chalky soils. It's aromatically restrained with subtle honey and biscuity notes meeting freshness. Despite Cotat's reputation for picking late and recent warm vintages (such as 2020) showing some high alcohols knocking the balance, this is just 12.8% and all the better for it. Drink 2023-2033.
92 points
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous