Pascal Cotat’s 2023 Sancerre ‘Les Monts Damnés’ is a singular and age-worthy expression of Sauvignon Blanc from one of Chavignol’s steepest and most revered vineyards. With vines over 30 years old rooted in the chalky terres blanches soils of the famed “damned mountains,” this wine captures both richness and razor-sharp energy in a way that has made Cotat a cult figure among sommeliers and collectors. Grapes are harvested by hand—typically two weeks later than the rest of the region—to achieve exceptional ripeness, then whole-bunch pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in older demi-muids, before ageing in large tonneaux for more than a year. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, the result is a powerful yet precise wine, offering aromas of melon, white flowers, fresh herbs and sea salt, with a palate that unfolds layers of poached white fruit, lime zest and grapefruit. Creamy yet weightless, this is a compelling, long-lived Sancerre from one of the smallest and most respected producers in France.