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Domaine Cottenceau

When Maxime took control of a portion of his family’s vines in 2018, he broke with tradition by bottling wines under his own name. Historically, the Cottenceau family had sold their entire production each year to a local co-op, guaranteeing revenue for the family. However, after working for several years with Vincent Dureuil, who now acts as a mentor to this up-and-coming star, Maxime knew that there was a thrilling potential in his family’s vineyards, and we’re all incredibly fortunate that he took this leap of faith. Maxime like to employ a longer élevage than is perhaps typical, with aging in barrels spanning between 18-20 months. Domaine Cottenceau is currently in the process of organic certification. The Sublime team has partnered with Maxime since the very beginning of his budding career and are proud to offer you a (nearly) complete retrospective of his work. 

Planted : 2016 

Exposition : North, north-west

Soil : Silex, the vines are next to the winery in an area that had never been previously planted with grapes 

Vinification : 30% new wood, 70% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling  

Tasting note : Wonderful texture and true variety character, fresh cut almonds, lemon, delicious 



Planted : 1983

Exposition : North

Soil : Clay-limestone, not very rocky 

Vinification : 30% new wood, 70% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling  

Tasting note : Open and giving fruit, citrus, nutty

Planted : 1995

Exposition : South 

Soil : Rich in fairly coarse clay, with some limestone 

Vinification : 30% new wood, 70% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling 

Tasting note : Crushed stone, herbal, weighty 

Special cuvée produced only in top vintages and held at the estate for an extended period before release. 

Planted : 1980 

Exposition : East 

Soil : Mix of clay and chalky limestone 

Vinification : 30% new wood, 70% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling 

Tasting note : Energetic, focused, citrus, spicy 

Planted : 1985

Exposition : East

Soil : Deeper and darker soil than Dazés with more black clay than limestone 

Vinification : 30% new wood, 70% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling 

Tasting note : Candied citrus, ripe, finesse 

Planted : 1983

Exposition : East

Soil : Thin layer of clay, 30cm to bedrock, with large amounts of black clay 

Vinification : Around 35% new wood, 65%% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling

Tasting note : Explosion of fruit, full, round, mineral, saline finish.

Planted : 1980

Exposition : South-East

Soil : Thin layer of clay, 30cm to bedrock, with numerous limestone pebbles, very rich in fossils 

Vinification : Around 35% new wood, 65%% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling

Tasting note : Powerful, rich, pretty, ripe 

Planted : 2005

Exposition : East

Soil : Around 60% Clay, 40% limestone, the latter being similar to Maconnais soils 

Vinification : Around 35% new wood, 65%% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling

Tasting note : Zippy, structured, nutty, ripe 

Planted : 1990

Exposition : South, South-East

Soil : Deep, with a large amount of black clay and small limestone rocks 

Vinification : Around 35% new wood, 65%% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling

Tasting note : white flowers, white pepper, creamy, ripe 

Planted : 1995

Exposition : South

Soil : Thin soil with limestone bedrock just 50cm below the surface 

Vinification : Destemmed by hand, around 30% new wood, 70% tank for 14 months, then blended in tank where it rests for 6 months before bottling 

Tasting note : Meaty, floral, strawberry, candied red apple, joyful