Le Rocher des Violettes, Touraine Cot

Le Rocher des Violettes is based in Montlouis‑sur‑Loire, on the south bank of the Loire where flinty clay and tuffeau limestone give Chenin Blanc and Côt a firm, mineral backbone. Xavier Weisskopf founded the estate in 2005 after training in Chablis and working with Philippe Pacalet, bringing a focus on old vines, careful farming, and restrained cellar work. The vineyards are farmed organically, with certification, and many parcels are between 50 and 120 years old. Fermentations rely on native yeasts, élevage is patient, and additions are minimal, all aimed at preserving clarity and tension. The wines show purity, precision, and a clear sense of place, whether dry Chenin, sparkling Montlouis, or his small‑production reds. The Côt is dark‑fruited and quietly structured, showing blackberry, plum skin, and a touch of violet. The palate is fresh and focused, with fine tannins and a clean mineral edge from the limestone soils. It finishes dry and precise, carrying enough lift to keep the wine balanced rather than heavy.