Stéphane in August 2008I have just received the very sad and shocking news that Stéphane Cossais, a very talented and individual producer in Montlouis, died of a heart attack on Saturday morning while in the Dordogne on holiday with Chloé, his nine-year old daughter. My guess is that Stéphane must have been in his late 30s to early 40s, so this is an awful shock for a young man to have died of a heart attack.
I last saw Stéphane at Les Caves de Pyréne's London tasting at the end of April, when he seemed very well, fit and full of fun.
Stéphane was one of a number of newcomers to Montlouis, whose presence has made this such an exciting and dynamic appellation. He was very critical of his wines and determined to be complete true to his vision of how his wines should be. Stéphane concentrated on making dry whites of great purity and brilliant precision. The pain of his death is accentuated by the conviction that the best was yet to come – a feeling of great promise that will now never be fulfilled. My profile of Stéphane is here.
I'm trying to confirm this terrible news and will naturally be delighted if this turns out to be a mistake. (This turned out to be a false hope.)
Addition:
Sadly Micaela and Sue's post has confirmed that Stéphane did indeed die on Saturday. He was just 42. Apparently he was taking part in a walking race. Report on Omnivore here.
Further comment on Stéphane's death:
Fellow Montlouis producers – Les Loges-de-la-Folie
Stéphane@Les Caves de Pyréne tasting in London: 29th April 2009
I last saw Stéphane at Les Caves de Pyréne's London tasting at the end of April, when he seemed very well, fit and full of fun.
Stéphane was one of a number of newcomers to Montlouis, whose presence has made this such an exciting and dynamic appellation. He was very critical of his wines and determined to be complete true to his vision of how his wines should be. Stéphane concentrated on making dry whites of great purity and brilliant precision. The pain of his death is accentuated by the conviction that the best was yet to come – a feeling of great promise that will now never be fulfilled. My profile of Stéphane is here.
I'm trying to confirm this terrible news and will naturally be delighted if this turns out to be a mistake. (This turned out to be a false hope.)
Addition:
Sadly Micaela and Sue's post has confirmed that Stéphane did indeed die on Saturday. He was just 42. Apparently he was taking part in a walking race. Report on Omnivore here.
Further comment on Stéphane's death:
Fellow Montlouis producers – Les Loges-de-la-Folie
Cuisine en ligne with a video interview with Stéphane
My condolences to Stéphane's family.
The funeral will be on Thursday (30th July) in Montlouis at 15.00. I understand that his Montlouis friends will continue to look after Stéphane's vines and will do the 2009 vintage. Apparently Flore, his partner from whom Stéphane was separated, may take over running the small domaine.
Stéphane@Les Caves de Pyréne tasting in London: 29th April 2009
4 comments:
Some more news here. Very sad.
http://www.omnivore.fr/?p=2912
Very sad indeed – difficult to take in at the moment.
Un peu comme Dagueneau pouvait transcender le sauvignon, Cossais, a creusé son sillon dans le chenin.
En cinq millésimes à peine, il s'était fait un nom, et voila qu'il disparaît. Sa compagne pourrait poursuivre l'oeuvre, mais rien n'est sûr.
A côté des grands crus, des terroirs sanctifiés par l'histoire, il y a de ces vignerons-comètes qui éclairent le ciel vineux de feux nouveaux. Cela rassure. Et c'est d'autant plus triste quand ils s'éteignent.
Pensez à eux quand vous buvez leur vins - je n'ai pas dit dégustez, car ce sont des vins à boire.
Bien dit, Hervé. En cinq millésimes oui mais cinq avec des problémes de gel, de finance et avec le proprietaire de ses vignes – pas propre pas assez de herbicides....
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