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Another 100% Petite Champagne. From the mid-50’s and showing all the signs of ideal ageing conditions in a cool, damp cellar.
Down to 45.4% entirely naturally, still in wood.
Brilliant, pale gold.
Fleshy and creamy, promising a supple, round palate. Good acidity bringing out spicy, white pepper notes, nutmeg and hazelnut, combined with beeswax and old leather. A secondary nose hints at citrus fruit with walnut undertones.
Fleshy, creamy attack and voluptuous body coming from distillation on the lees. Powerful secondary palate, with great length and suppleness. The nose aromas are all here, with the added signature of walnut husk, typical of the finest ‘rancios’.
A classic, grand old cognac.
A necessarily Limited Edition, only 88 bottles of 60 Year Old will be put on the market in 2016.
For maximum enjoyment, drink this cognac neat and allow the cognac to breathe for several minutes and open up fully by gently swirling the glass.
The upper floors and cellar of the House are reached by the original 15th century spiral stone staircase. Each of the 68 steps is carved from a single block, a work of enormous precision by the mediaeval stonemasons.
A section of the spiral stone staircase seen from below
Winding clockwise – thereby ensuring that invading attackers, most likely right-handed, are disadvantaged when wielding a sword – the mesmerising swirl of the staircase seen from below inspired this photograph by Julia Hasse :