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Sancerre from the Slope of the Sun
Sancerre from the Slope of the Sun
by Allyson Noman by Allyson Noman
A Featured Selection from the Unfiltered Whites Collection! A Featured Selection from the Unfiltered Whites Collection!
2023 Sancerre “Les Coutones”
2023 Sancerre “Les Coutones”


Les Coutones

Simon Chotard
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
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Clean, elegant, and stony with a versatility that’s sure to excite even those of us who rarely reach for Sauvignon Blanc, this crowd-pleasing bottle effortlessly accompanies any meal or occassion.. Les Coutones comes from a steep parcel where the soil is so rich in clay that after the rain, it affixes itself to one’s boots. That clay keeps cool a site that otherwise faces abundant sun, a balance that allows its fruit a longer ripening phase. The result is full of finesse, the nose exuberant, yet restrained; unripened pineapple, clover, tangerine…full of zest that hints at summer, but remains fresh and green. Fitting for a wine that comes from a place nicknamed “Slope of the Sun” (or in French, la pente du Soleil). Infused with limestone minerality, the palate feels pure and energized. It is the perfect antidote to a long day (or week!).


Les Coutones

Simon Chotard
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2023 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Sauvignon Blanc |
Appellation: | Sancerre |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Daniel Chotard |
Winemaker: | Simon Chotard |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1994 (1 ha), 2006 (.61 ha) |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone, Kimmeridgian Marl |
Aging: | Aged in neutral foudres for 1 year, followed by 6 months in stainless steel |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 13% |
Take 20% OFF this and other wines in the collection, now through the end of the month.
Click to apply: UNFILTERED20Promo code terms
More from this Producer or Region

2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
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Chinons from Joguet are known for their firm minerality, but this one is quite charming as well, with plummy black fruit, myrtle, and notes of warm licorice.

2023 Sancerre Rouge “Le Chant de l’Archet”
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The Chotards are some of the lucky few who have Sancerre parcels that are ideal for growing Pinot Noir, and theirs have been planted to Pinot for well over fifty years, so the vines are at full maturity.

2023 Sancerre “Les Cris”
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The singularity and beauty of Chenin Blanc really shines with a bit of age, which is what makes this wine so special to enjoy now.

2024 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
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2023 Sancerre “Racines”
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It combines the racy acidity and taut mineral structure imparted by the Kimmeridgian limestone terroir with a subtle kiss of oak and a fine wood grain on the finale.

2022 Sancerre Rouge “Champs d’Alligny”
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2021 Bourgueil “La Dilettante”
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2021 Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”
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About The Producer
Daniel Chotard
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmeridgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
More from Loire or France
Vouvray Brut MAGNUM
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Thierry Germain France | Loire
2024 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
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Pascal Janvier France | Loire
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Charles Joguet France | Loire
2024 Vouvray “La Dilettante”
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2024 Sancerre Rosé
Domaine Roger Neveu France | Loire
2024 Saumur Blanc “L’Insolite”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2016 Jasnières “Chant de Vigne”
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
2024 Muscadet “Le Clos de la Butte”
Eric Chevalier France | Loire
2024 Vin de France Rosé Brut “Elle est pas bulle la vie?”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
Vouvray Brut MAGNUM
Champalou France | Loire
2021 Saumur Blanc “Terres”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2024 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
Domaine de Reuilly France | Loire
2024 Coteaux du Loir Blanc
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2017 Jasnières “Chant de Vigne”
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
2021 Chinon Blanc “Les Charmes”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2024 Vouvray “La Dilettante”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2024 Sancerre Rosé
Domaine Roger Neveu France | Loire
2024 Saumur Blanc “L’Insolite”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2016 Jasnières “Chant de Vigne”
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
2024 Muscadet “Le Clos de la Butte”
Eric Chevalier France | Loire
2024 Vin de France Rosé Brut “Elle est pas bulle la vie?”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
Vintage Chart Mentality

Vintage Chart Mentality
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch
Take 20% OFF this and other wines in the collection, now through the end of the month.
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