Final week, I tackled Tesseron’s Lot No 29, which is a Cognac that’s in all probability greatest recognized for Robert Parker giving it a rating of 100. Within the hyperlinks that point out his scoring, it’s additionally constantly talked about that the Tesseron household, who’re clearly recognized for his or her Cognac, are additionally recognized by wine lovers because the proprietor of Pontet Canet and Lafon Rochet.
This struck me as stunning because it’s my first time studying of a Cognac producer, outdoors of firms like Louis Vuitton Moët Hennesy, who can be into wine. However then I must also not have been stunned, for the reason that metropolis and area of Cognac and Bordeaux are shut to one another. In case you’re questioning why the grapes used for Cognac are completely different from those utilized in French wine: one thing about Cognac grapes’ acidity not being optimum. Some grapes for Cognac are bottled as wine, however I’ve been instructed that these are merely drunk within the area as desk wine and aren’t one thing the wine collectors and speculators trouble with.
Tesseron is surprisingly regionally accessible, for the reason that Philippines is sort of a desolate place for small manufacturers with no advertising and marketing finances. They’re additionally not mentioned a lot within the on-line brandy boards. Protected to say I underestimated the recognition and attain of this model. I assume it’s time for me to know extra about them.
Maison Abel Tesseron was based by Abel Tesseron in 1905. He adopted a long run coverage of build up shares that have been saved in a twelfth century crypt. There’s one property every in Grand Champagne and Petite Champagne the place he distilled, aged, and blended his eaux-de-vie.
In 1940, Abel’s son Man joined the enterprise. He introduced an acute enterprise sense with him. One in every of his notable choices was to buy Chateau Pontet Canet in 1975, which they nonetheless personal as we speak. Except for that, he additionally helped enhance their popularity much more by the artwork of getting old.
Someday within the early 2000s Man’s youngsters Alfred and Gerard determined to launch their Cognac below the household identify. I assume this explains why they nonetheless have a lot outdated inventory.
Noe Tesseron, Alfred’s son, began contributing to the enterprise in 2018. Being younger, he’s bringing a contemporary imaginative and prescient, a part of which is making a extra delicate and sophisticated type of Cognac.
Apparently, Tesseron is likely one of the final homes to nonetheless use Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche. Many of the different homes solely use Ugni Blanc now. The grapes are harvested in early autumn and fermented for as much as 9% ABV. To my delight, they distill on-the-lees, which is one thing Camus additionally does to make the brandy extra flavorful.
Like in my Tesseron Lot No 29 assessment, the samples I reviewed are from this pattern pack, which works for €79.
Tesseron Lot No 53 XO Perfection – Evaluate
40% ABV. €263 from Cognac Skilled. £262 from The Whisky Alternate.
Colour: Honey.
On the nostril: I discover this to be very expressive from the beginning. It’s wealthy with shiny fruits. I get medium-intense and delicate aromas of dried apricots, figs, roasted grapes, peaches, and plums that final fairly some time. After these are lighter aromas of apples, pears with pores and skin, chocolate, leather-based, cinnamon, and tannins that don’t final as lengthy.
Within the mouth: Not as fruity however nonetheless significantly fruity. I get mild tastes of figs, sweets, roasted grapes, peaches, and plums. After these are extra delicate tastes of blood orange, oranges, pears, and leather-based. These notes simply rotate for a very long time.
Conclusions:
Wow. For one thing supposedly from 1953, this isn’t practically as tannic as I anticipated it to be. I’m wondering if the Cognac used for these have been aged in additional used casks, which resulted in a weaker cask affect. Or, it may simply be their mixing? Regardless, I really like how fruity, wealthy and sophisticated that is regardless of the low ABV. The flavors lasted for a very long time too.
A exceptional drink that’s pretty priced for a way lengthy it’s been in existence. Simply think about what has occurred since 1953. I desire this over the Lot No 29.
Rating: 8/10
Tesseron Lot No 76 XO Custom – Evaluate
40% ABV. €129 from Cognac Skilled. £110 from The Whisky Alternate.
Colour: Honey.
On the nostril: Initially very tannic and leathery with hints of figs. After about 20 minutes of opening up, there’s nonetheless an overbearing tannic texture. But it surely’s much less pronounced. Behind it are mild and fast aromas of honey, floral, leather-based, cinnamon, vinegar and grapefruit peel.
Within the mouth: It’s not as tannic as on the nostril. The overbearing tannic texture can be not right here. I get mild and fast tastes of figs, mocha, cinnamon syrup, blood orange, dried apricots and milk chocolate.
Conclusions:
The very first thing I discover is that this isn’t as expressive and as shiny because the Lot No 53, however it’s nonetheless not as tannic as I anticipated it to be.
As a result of I initially discovered this to be shy, I let it open up for 20 minutes, which is a good period of time for a spirit that’s supposedly outdated. Remember that regardless of being from 1976, there’s no point out of how outdated that is or when it was bottled. However after that I nonetheless wasn’t impressed. At that time, I additionally didn’t have any samples left to re-assess it.
No matter my opinions, that is nonetheless a Cognac price making an attempt. Afterall, how typically can one attempt one thing from 1976? Worth smart, it’s additionally nonetheless a superb purchase if what you’re after is its being from 1976.
