THE 10 YEAR OLD
(Run your cursor over the bottle to magnify every detail)
Already over 10 years old, this is technically a fully-fledged ‘XO’ cognac both under current French appellation laws, which require 6 years minimum ageing, and under the more stringent 10 year minimum due to be introduced in 2018.
Blended from the Grande Champagne and Fins Bois growing areas – the latter, faster maturing cognac being added for extra roundness and depth - it has been slowly reduced to standard drinking strength of 40%.
TASTING NOTES
EYE
Brilliant gold, tinged with brown.
NOSE
Extremely distinctive, well-structured and full of character. Notes of tea, linden tree flowers, dried orange peel and creamy English toffee.
PALATE
An abundantly round, creamy structure with strong, fresh flavours. Somewhat fleshy, yet still subtle.
OVERALL
A fine example of a distinctly ‘masculine’ cognac, aged in old oak casks.
ENJOYMENT
On its own after a meal, of course, but at any time of day a refreshing splash of spring water will open up the nose and flavours.
THE PHOTOGRAPH
From 1603 to 1624 Pierre de Lacombe, Lieutenant-General of Cognac, made the House his residence and the seat of government of the town. He added many fine decorations, including the painted wooden ceiling and colourful murals in the rooms.
A detail from the murals on the first floor
Although once covered in plaster, vestiges of these murals remain, revealing scenes of the countryside, such as the brightly coloured bird featured in Julia Hasse’s photograph.
