Notes from North Berkeley Imports:

"Sancerre from François Cotat is simply some of the most singular Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Devotees can tell you that what happens in this modest cellar in Chavignol is one part winemaking, three parts magic. Atypical yet arresting in their complexity, Cotat Sancerre is wine that can and should be aged for decades. These “damned mountains” provide the most chiseled, vibrant and deeply profound of Cotat’s stupendous Sancerre wines. Smoke, ripe pears, lemon zest."

Berry Bros. & Rudd:

"Arguably the most famous vineyard in Sancerre, Les Monts Damnés lives up to its name with a slope of around 45 degrees. Situated in the village of Chavignol, it faces south and has shallow terres blanches soils. Importantly, the clay content here is surprisingly high, which is important for storing water in dry years. Even so, this weighed in at 15% at harvest, being the last vineyard to be picked and consequently containing a small amount of botrytised grapes. The nose is expressive, with plenty of ripe citrus and yellow fruit, a touch of orange and maybe a hint of peaty smoke.

The palate is more savoury, despite the richness of its 4g/ltr residual sugar which provides a brace against the alcohol. This is a dense, weighty Monts Damnés with a spicy, herbal complexity alongside the generous fruit. The finish is almost endless, unctuous fruit and dry sea minerals flowing down across the palate and into the distance. A magical wine which transcends the Sancerre appellation whose name it will not carry as it was deemed to be insufficiently typical."