Francois Cotat - Sancerre 'Cuvee Paul' - 2017

Named after François father, Cuvée Paul is a very rare wine made from the best two barrels in the cellar only in special years and set aside as having the greatest potential for ageing. Made from very ripe grapes it shows some gentle sweetness and incredible power. In concert with the fine, stony freshness for which Sancerre is famed there is a wealth of fruit ranging from lively citrus to more tropical notes. Orange peel, lemon oil, pineapple and passion fruit all appear at intervals when left to develop in glass and these would be interesting enough themselves, but the wine is set apart by the undercurrent of exotic spice; cardamom and anise. A glimmer of residual sugar, which merely adds to the luxurious feel in the mouth, together with the poised backbone of bright acidity provides superb balance. A rarity for the cellar, this one will live for 50 years ! Andrew Guard, Importer