François Cotat has been working at the family estate since 1979 with his father, eventually succeeding him in 1998. This small, family-run estate in Chavignol (a village famous for its goat's cheese) owns plots located in Monts Damnés, Grande Côte and Culs de Beaujeu (where the hills can reach an angle of 45%!). Late harvests of over-ripe grapes give unctuous wines that generally contain a little residual sugar. These wines can easily be left for decades, and contribute to the continuing legend of the great wines of Sancerre. This area produces great Sancerre wines with impressive ageing potential. All the estate's wines are sold in advance every year, earning François Cotat his membership of the tightly-knit circle of Sancerre's "Popes" who never have any wine left over to sell, as all bottles are pre-booked.

François Cotat only grows 0.55 ha of Pinot Noir to produce his red and rosé wines. This cuvée is produced on a very small scale, from north-facing vines grown on clay-limestone soils. Harvests are done by hand and there is no malolactic fermentation. Elevage takes place in stainless steel vats in order to preserve the vibrancy of the juices. The nose is discrete, with delicate aromas of small red fruits and spices. The wine is vibrant on the vibrant, vinous with impressive length.