| |
House
1000’s of tastings,
all of the music,
all of the rambligs
and all of the enjoyable
(hopefully!)
Whiskyfun.com
Assured ad-free
copyright 2002-2022
|
 |
|
| Hello, that is certainly one of our (virtually) every day tastings. Santé! |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
October 23, 2022
|
|
  |
|
One other wild bunch of cognacs
Keep in mind, in French, that is effectively ‘cognac’ with no capital C. They make cognac within the metropolis of Cognac, comprenez-vous? Now in Globish, which is the language I am often utilizing (see) in these pages, I am not too certain… By the way in which, it appears to be like just like the class is in full swing once more, after a harder 2020.
|
 |
|
|
Claude Thorin ‘VSOP’ 40%, OB, Grande Champagne, +/-2020) 
Not a home I am very aware of. They’re positioned in Segonzac and that is an own-estate mix of colombard, folle blanche and ugni blanc. They’ve it on Amazon. Color: gold. Nostril: very mild, and consequently fairly contemporary, slightly on nougat, stewed peaches, golden raisins and minimize apples, whereas some caramel would are likely to take over then. Additionally a bit vanilla, ripe plums, and a tiny cup of breakfast tea stemming from the oak. Mouth: candy, even a tad sugary at first, then on tarte tatin and simply apple pie. Notes of bitter cider within the background, in addition to Grand-Marnier. End: quick to medium, slightly bitter and candy. Stewed cider apples and caramel. Feedback: slightly truthful cognac, at a good worth. The candy facet did hassle me a bit bit.
SGP:640 – 75 factors. |
|
|
De Luze ‘VSOP’ (40%, OB, fantastic champagne, +/-2022) 
Keep in mind fantastic champagne is often a mix of grande and petite champagne. De Luze, in Angeac-Champagne, have gotten their very own cooperage! The model belongs to cognac Boinaud, who are actually on the helm of an enormous distillery that shelters at least 41 (forty-one) stills. Color: deep gold. Nostril: a bit extra rustic, additionally extra on contemporary fruits, particularly berries (crimson and inexperienced gooseberries, for instance) and simply greener apples, cider apples, yellow peaches… There’s additionally a floral and honeyed facet, with dandelions and acacia honey, however these gooseberries maintain working the present on the nostril. Mouth: identical feedback, it is a bit extra rustic, which I get pleasure from right here. Extra minimize apples, gooseberries, additionally apricots, vanilla, and tiny bits of liquorice and rubber (which can counsel some younger cognac’s been used inside this mix). End: medium, on sameish notes. Feedback: already on the higher a part of the size so far as VSOPS are involved.
SGP:651 – 78 factors. |
|
Let’s attempt De Luze’s XO then…
|
|
|
De Luze ‘XO’ (40%, OB, fantastic champagne, +/-2022) 
In bigger homes, the hole between their VSOP and their XO could be actually big, let’s examine… Color: deep gold. Nostril: the core is slightly related (apples, pears and gooseberries) however there’s extra depth, extra flowers (wisteria, dandelions, lilies) and plenty of extra honeys, heather, clover, even manuka… Lime blossom too, orange blossom, the anticipated preserved peaches, and even a drop of youthful rancio (doré). Beautiful nostril right here. Mouth: identical feeling of the same juice as that within the VSOP, however with extra depth, extra years (clearly), higher sharpening, waxes and honeys, mirabelles, triple-sec… And definitely a couple of drops of quince eau-de-vie. The 40% do not feel, there’s sufficient physique and construction. End: medium, on sameish notes this time once more. Somewhat caramel within the aftertaste. Feedback: very fantastic drop! Keep in mind, XO’s are often fairly younger cognacs, contrarily to fashionable perception. Ve’ve additionally bought a De Luze ‘Infini’ that is infinitely terrific, however we’ll have it subsequent time.
SGP:641 – 82 factors. |
|
|
Frapin 25 yo 1995 (41.4%, OB, grande champagne, +/-2021) 
One of many fairly uncommon age-and-vintage-stated cognacs on the market. The French administration stays robust in that respect, a lot harder than, for instance, the folks in Armagnac. As for the home Frapin and their Château Fontpinot, no have to do not forget that their fame’s fairly excessive. Color: gold. Nostril: pure stewed peaches, apricots, sultanas, tangerines, citrons and prickly pears, with a couple of drops of heather honey. Easy and bordering perfection. Mouth: rather less chiselled and polished, with a couple of extra liqueury notes than on the nostril, however all these dried fruits are working very effectively. Raisins and prunes, naturally, additionally pears, bananas and pineapples. End: medium, the peaches being again, coated with some honeyed liquorice. Somewhat caramel but once more within the aftertaste. Feedback: simply wonderful and effectively within the model of the home (so far as I can inform).
SGP:641 – 86 factors. |
|
|
Conte & Filles 2010/2022 ‘A12’ (46.3%, Cognac-Skilled, L’Essentiel, Petite Champagne, cask #49, 400l)
They might offer you a number of knowledge, equivalent to the truth that the vines are positioned in Nonaville, that that is pure ugni blanc, that the oak got here from forêt de Tronçais, and that the home is positioned in Poulignac. Color: gold. Nostril: contemporary and actually very fruity. We’re wandering all through a big orchard across the month of august, whereas smoking a small pipe and sipping a double expresso. Numerous plums in there, greengages, damsons, the standard mirabelles, the no-less normal peaches, melons… Mouth: no concepts if that is the Tronçais oak however I am discovering slightly a number of liquorice, plus a bit sandalwood, then all these fruits, with a stunning freshness. Plums working the present, peaches and ripe apples being sturdy contenders, each as contemporary fruits and as puréed fruits and jams. You might pour a couple of drops of this contemporary younger cognac in some champagne and give you a pleasant variation on a Bellini. You might name that ‘champagne petite champagne’. End: medium, contemporary, on extra stewed orchard fruits. Liquorice once more within the aftertaste, plus some minerality (chalk). Feedback: wonderful younger cognac, with some type of verticality.
SGP:641 – 86 factors. |
|
|
Jean-Luc Pasquet 41 yo ‘Lot 79’ (52.3%, Grape of the Artwork, Grande Champagne, 273 bottles, 2022) 
Pure ugni blanc, Limousin oak, humid cellar, beautiful albeit a bit artsy label, and funky people in any respect levels. What else does the folks need? (Please do not reply ‘ask French unions’). Color: deep gold. Nostril: chic, beehive-y, very slim and really advanced on the identical time. Fab figs, fab raisins, fab honeys, fab candy greens (crimson kuri squash) and a bit milder tobacco. That is all people, however that is so much. Mouth: begins with a bit resin, propolis and liquorice wooden tannins, however will get then fruitier and extra on jams, with some marmalade after which our beloved mirabelles and quinces. Mirabelles and quinces will save the world at some point, you shall see! And peaches will assist, as virtually all the time, peaches would are likely to attempt to seize management right here. End: the resins are preventing again, however in the long run, it’s a draw. Blood oranges are signing peace within the aftertaste. Feedback: the arrival on the palate was a notch horrifying, however that was simply me being a bit impatient. In fact it’s tough to search out a lot better cognac…
SGP:661 – 91 factors. |
|
|
Fins Bois 1980/2022 (53.3%, Jean Grosperrin, Lot 993) 
I surrender, Grosperrin are busier maturing and bottling a number of the biggest cognacs you possibly can discover, slightly than spending any time feeding the Internet with correct photos of their bottlings. We cannot solid the stone at them… Color: deep gold. Nostril: this extra rustic, but more energizing facet, with frozen medlars, apples and pears, peaches but once more, buttered and salted fudge, and a faint salty, virtually coastal contact. With water: medlars, actually! And mead, raisins, small berries, sorb… Mouth (neat): some sudden citrus, oranges, cranberries… The freshness is absolutely superior right here, and even shocking. Orange starbust, tangerine sweet… With water: flowers chiming in, plus extra overripe apples and pears. Quinces usually are not left behind. End: orangey issues are again within the aftertaste. Jaffa cake? Honeycomb within the aftertaste (the beekeeper’s chewing-gum). Feedback: wonderful, we’re really fairly near an previous chardonnay. These fins bois are all the time very fascinating and slightly completely different.
SGP:551 – 89 factors. |
|
|
Château de Beaulon 1988/2022 (55.2%, Via The Grapevine, LMDW, Fins Bois)
It is a single cask. Let’s examine if we discover medlars once more… Color: deep gold. Nostril: so shut! Medlars certainly, a coastal contact that is additionally a tad medicinal this time, some pure rubber (bicycle internal tube), these apples and peaches, buttercups… Great, delicate, and albeit, a bit mental, no matter which means. With water: oils, grape pips, sunflower, even sesame, plus these small berries, sorb, rowanberry eau-de-vie (hello!)… Mouth (neat): I would not use the phrase ‘rustic’ too typically however truthfully, this can be a little rustic, in a really wonderful means. Holidays within the countryside… And we’re even nearer to Grosperrin’s Fins Bois, with these excellent oranges and people ‘issues from a beehive’. With water: quinces and propolis, what’s to not like? End: oranges, liquorice, propolis, and… drumroll… medlars! Mead and puréed chestnuts within the aftertaste. Feedback: strikingly related, and wonderful. Questioning if Grosperrin’s superior 1980 was not a Beaulon too.
SGP:551 – 89 factors. |
|
|
Jean-Luc Pasquet 1958/2022 ‘L58’ (43.1%, Wu Dram Clan, Grande Champagne, 256 bottles)
No suspense right here, you realize who’s gonna win. We’ll maintain this extra-short. Color: gold. Nostril: effectively, somebody sensible has blended some previous Balblair, previous Lochside and previous Bushmills with some correct previous cognac. Which might translate into an entire tureen of mangos, melons, oranges, heather honey and stewed peaches. Mouth: identical, plus zillions of tinier flavours, some grassy (oyster plant, basil, coriander), some spicy (cardamom, cinnamon, juniper), some fruitier but (rambutans?) and a few infinitesimal ones extra resinous and rubbery (resin and rubber, ha). However we mentioned we might maintain this extra-short… End: medium, with some cedarwood and even perhaps echoes of incense (paying homage to a Chinese language Buddhist temple). Key phrase, ‘reminiscent’. Feedback: there’s a little fragility right here and there, however let’s keep in mind that is virtually sixty-four. Will you continue to want me, Will you continue to feed me, After I’m sixty-four… Nah, as sensible as The Beatles.
SGP:651 – 91 factors. |
|
|
Vallein Tercinier ‘Rue 34’ (42%, OB, for LMDW, Antipodes, Grande Champagne, cask #034, 50 bottles)
1934 was a magical classic in France, however the occupying forces have downed most of it, besides when winegrowers would have shortly constructed new partitions in the back of their cellars, to cover components of their shares. It occurred a number of occasions to me, within the late Nineteen Seventies and early Nineteen Eighties, that grandchildren would have discovered actual treasures when having some work performed of their cellars, particularly in Burgundy. We have downed so many unlabelled bottles again then! Sensible wines, even when fairly typically, we would not even have identified what they have been, the grandfathers or fathers having typically died through the battle with out leaving any data. Fixin? Latricières? Charmes? Griotte?… Some unhappy and joyful tales on the identical time… Anyway, 1934 is a classic that is near my coronary heart… Color: amber. Nostril: how’s this doable? Shall I even attempt to describe this? The nuts, the flowers, the valuable fruits, the nougats, the oils, the toffees… Was this survivor even made by males or girls? Mouth: I am not going to ‘decide’ this, I do not suppose I am certified. Perhaps provide the identify of a chunk of music that will type of echo this? Please let me suppose this by… End: wait… Feedback: there, Puccini, La fanciulla del West, the introduction.
SGP:572 – 94 factors (I dared). |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
