By Domaine Roger et Didier Raimbault
Les Belles Cotes 2025 AOC Sancerre Single Estate

Wine Details
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Appellation: AOC Sancerre
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Soil: Vines planted on 50% terres blanches, 50% caillottes
Farming: Vines harvested at night when it is much cooler and pressed immediately
Winemaking: Grapes are gently pressed and vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats; must is cold settled for 24 hours
Aging: Aged on lees until bottling

Estate
Roger et Didier Raimbault's domaine is in the village of Verdigny, one of the most respected communes in the heart of the Sancerre appellation. The Raimbault family has been growing vines in Sancerre for nearly 400 years, making them one of the region's long-established winegrowing families. Today, the estate farms approximately 43 acres of vineyards spread across the steep slopes of Verdigny and neighboring Sury-en-Vaux.

Terroir
The vineyards sit between 500 and 1,000 feet in elevation on some of Sancerre's most prized soils. These steep hillside sites, with varying sun exposures, contribute both freshness and complexity to the wines while allowing the estate to showcase the distinctive terroirs of Sancerre. These hillsides face different directions, offering a magical aromatic variety of terroir expressions.

About the Winemaking
Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, Les Belles Cotes is crafted from an equal blend of fruit sourced from two distinct Sancerre terroirs situated on different slopes. The pebbly caillottes soils offer excellent drainage, encouraging the vines to root deeply into the underlying limestone in search of moisture. This terroir contributes vibrant citrus freshness, ripe fruit character, and focused structural intensity. Complementing this is the terres blanches clay-limestone terroir, which adds richness, depth, and complexity, along with the hallmark mineral character that lends the wine freshness and aging potential. To preserve purity and fruit expression, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged on its fine lees until bottling, enhancing texture and complexity while maintaining the bright acidity, aromatic precision, and distinctive minerality that define classic Sancerre.

Profile
The 2025 Sancerre Les Belles Cotes opens with vibrant aromas of grapefruit, lemon zest, white peach, green apple, and freshly cut herbs, complemented by delicate floral nuances and distinctive flinty notes. The palate is crisp, energetic, and beautifully focused, revealing layers of citrus and orchard fruit intertwined with subtle mineral complexity. Bright acidity and remarkable precision provide freshness and lift, while the wine's elegant texture carries through to a long, refreshing finish marked by lingering notes of limestone and crushed stone. Pure, expressive, and impeccably balanced, Les Belles Cotes is a classic Sancerre that showcases the vibrant character, finesse, and terroir-driven minerality for which Roger et Didier Raimbault are renowned.

Food Pairing
An exceptional aperitif, Les Belles Cotes pairs beautifully with oysters, shellfish, grilled fish, fresh goat cheese, roasted or grilled chicken, and seasonal vegetables.
[Information provided by Serge Dore Selections]