100% Sauvignon Blanc | Sancerre AOC | Historic Hillside Vineyard | Neutral Oak Aging
A Distinctive, Elegant Sancerre from the Historic Hillsides of the Loire Valley
Discover Roger & Didier Raimbault 2023 Sancerre Côteline, a beautifully expressive Sauvignon Blanc from one of the oldest and steepest vineyard slopes in Sancerre, France.
Produced by a family with ten generations of winegrowing heritage, this exceptional white wine captures the character of the Loire Valley through its vibrant fruit, remarkable mineral complexity, and refined oak influence.
Unlike many Sancerre wines produced exclusively in stainless steel, Côteline incorporates maturation in large, neutral oak barrels, creating additional texture, complexity, and depth without overwhelming the distinctive freshness of Sauvignon Blanc.
The result is a rich yet beautifully balanced Sancerre, offering enticing aromas of citrus, ripe peach, pineapple, elderflower, and delicate flinty minerals.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and expressive, combining ripe fruit with lively acidity, a refined texture, and a long, elegant finish.
An outstanding choice for wine lovers seeking a more complex, sophisticated expression of Sancerre.
Tasting Notes — Citrus, Tropical Fruit, Minerality and Subtle Oak
Appearance: Clear, pale yellow with delicate golden reflections.
Nose: An expressive bouquet of ripe peach, pineapple, citrus zest, and elderflower, complemented by fresh-cut grass, subtle brioche, and flinty mineral nuances.
Palate: Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully textured. Ripe stone fruit and citrus flavors unfold alongside vibrant acidity and a distinctive mineral backbone. The influence of neutral oak contributes subtle roundness and complexity without masking the wine's natural freshness.
Finish: Long, elegant, and persistent, with lingering citrus, delicate floral notes, chalky minerality, and a beautifully integrated hint of oak.
Côteline combines the aromatic intensity of ripe Sauvignon Blanc with the structure, texture, and mineral complexity of its exceptional hillside terroir.
Côteline — One of Sancerre's Historic Hillside Vineyards
The Côteline cuvée originates from an exceptionally steep, southeast-facing hillside known as Cotelin, one of the historic vineyard slopes of Sancerre.
Located near Verdigny in France's Loire Valley, the vineyard benefits from excellent sun exposure and naturally well-drained soils.
Its terroir consists primarily of clay-limestone soils with a stony surface, reflecting the geological diversity that makes Sancerre one of the world's most celebrated Sauvignon Blanc appellations.
The vineyard's challenging hillside conditions and distinctive soil composition contribute to fruit with concentration, aromatic complexity, and natural freshness.
The clay-limestone terroir gives the wine its combination of richness, mineral character, and structure.
Traditional Winemaking with Extended Neutral Oak Aging
Roger & Didier Raimbault combine generations of vineyard experience with careful, thoughtful winemaking.
Grapes for Côteline are harvested and sorted by hand, ensuring careful selection of the fruit.
Fermentation takes place using natural yeasts in stainless steel tanks, preserving the grape's aromatic expression and freshness.
The wine then undergoes maturation in large 500-liter neutral oak barrels, with the importer's technical information describing aging of approximately 20–24 months, depending on the vintage.
This extended maturation allows the wine to develop greater texture, depth, and complexity while maintaining the vibrant acidity and mineral character that define Sancerre.
The restrained use of oak enhances the wine's structure rather than introducing pronounced vanilla or toasted wood flavors.
The result is a sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc offering richness and elegance in equal measure.
Roger & Didier Raimbault — Ten Generations of Sancerre Winemaking
Located in the village of Verdigny, in the heart of the Sancerre appellation, Domaine Roger & Didier Raimbault represents ten generations of family winegrowing tradition.
For approximately four centuries, the Raimbault family has cultivated vineyards in this celebrated region of the Loire Valley.
The estate's vineyards encompass two of Sancerre's important soil types:
Les Caillottes: Limestone-rich soils that tend to produce aromatic, fruit-driven wines with freshness and early approachability.
Les Terres Blanches: Clay-limestone soils containing Kimmeridgian marl, associated with wines of greater structure, concentration, and aging potential.
Approximately 80% of the estate's vineyards occupy slopes ranging from 10% to 40%, providing varied exposures and excellent natural drainage.
The family combines generations of experience with careful vineyard management to produce wines that express the distinctive character of Sancerre.
The 2023 Vintage — Ripe Fruit and Beautiful Freshness
The 2023 growing season in the Loire Valley presented challenges that required careful vineyard management and harvest decisions.
For producers who achieved balanced ripeness, the vintage offers Sauvignon Blanc wines with expressive fruit, attractive concentration, and refreshing acidity.
The 2023 Côteline showcases this appealing combination through its ripe citrus and stone-fruit flavors, mineral complexity, and elegant structure.
Its subtle oak influence adds another dimension, creating a Sancerre with depth and texture while preserving its essential freshness.
Food Pairings — An Exceptional Wine for Seafood and Fine Cuisine
With its fuller body, lively acidity, and delicate oak influence, Côteline is particularly well suited to flavorful seafood and poultry dishes.
Recommended pairings include:
- Seared scallops with lemon butter
- Grilled lobster
- Roasted halibut with beurre blanc
- Salmon with cream sauce
- Herb-roasted chicken
- Veal with mushrooms
- Creamy seafood risotto
- Fresh goat cheese
- Aged Comté
- Soft French cheeses
For a classic French pairing, enjoy Côteline with fish in a delicate cream sauce, seared scallops, or roasted poultry.
Serving Temperature and Aging Potential
Recommended Serving Temperature: 54–57°F (12–14°C).
Serve slightly warmer than a typical crisp, unoaked Sauvignon Blanc to allow the wine's aromatic complexity and texture to emerge.
The producer suggests aging potential of up to approximately eight years, depending on vintage and storage conditions.
Properly cellared, the 2023 Côteline may develop additional complexity and richness over the coming years.
Wine Details
| Attribute |
Details |
| Producer |
Roger & Didier Raimbault |
| Wine |
Sancerre Côteline |
| Vintage |
2023 |
| Country |
France |
| Region |
Loire Valley |
| Appellation |
Sancerre AOC |
| Village |
Verdigny |
| Grape Variety |
100% Sauvignon Blanc |
| Wine Style |
Dry white wine |
| Vineyard |
Cotelin hillside |
| Vineyard Exposure |
Southeast |
| Soil |
Clay-limestone with stony topsoil |
| Harvest |
Hand-harvested and sorted |
| Fermentation |
Natural yeasts, stainless steel |
| Oak Aging |
Neutral 500-liter oak barrels |
| Aging Duration |
Importer describes 20–24 months, vintage-dependent |
| Serving Temperature |
54–57°F |
| Aging Potential |
Up to approximately 8 years |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
Why You'll Love It
Roger & Didier Raimbault 2023 Sancerre Côteline is a remarkable expression of Sauvignon Blanc from one of France's most celebrated white wine appellations.
Produced by a family with ten generations of winemaking heritage, this distinctive Sancerre combines ripe citrus and tropical fruit, delicate floral aromas, vibrant acidity, and exceptional minerality.
Its historic hillside vineyard and thoughtful neutral oak maturation give the wine greater depth and texture than many conventional Sancerre bottlings.
An excellent discovery for Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts seeking a more sophisticated, full-bodied, and age-worthy white wine.
Discover Roger & Didier Raimbault 2023 Sancerre Côteline at MyWinePlus.com.
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