Normandin Mercier Extra Old Cognac

“Like candy in a glass, this bold brandy overflows with butterscotch and caramel notes and finishes with ginger, cinnamon and candied-lemon peel accents. A delectable pairing with crème brûlée or other creamy desserts, or poured over ice cream.” - 91 PTS, WINE ENTHUSIAST (07/2015)

D&M NOTES:

TASTING: The nose opens with a note of dried orange peel, apricot, forest floor and rancio, a bit of baking spice, oak, and a caramel/toffee mix. This has a good textural tone on  the palate with initial flavors of warm toffee and baking spices that give way to dried fruits, candied orange peel, black peppercorns and a note of rancio/forest floor on the finish.

PRODUCTION: This house sources only organic eau-de-vie from vineyards in the two premier Crus of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne.  In the cellar, they do not utilize additions other than water, so no caramel coloring, boiled oak, or sugar. Some of the barrels used in aging are made with oak from the family’s own trees on the estate and all are from barrels with a tighter grain pattern for less overt oak flavors. This bottling is a 30+ year old blend assembled from aged eau-de-vie only from the Grande Champagne region.

PRODUCER NOTES:

ABOUT US: "Since 1872, five generations have contributed to the development of the prestigious Normandin-Mercier Cognacs. The family has built its fame by perfecting the art of blending and ageing cognacs in an exceptional geographic site on their estate, the Domaine de La Péraudière.  Normandin-Mercier cognacs are made with about 90% Ugni Blanc and 10% Colombard and Folle Blanche, a very rare and unique blend compared to other cognacs.

Normandin-Mercier cognacs are matured in the family chateau's traditional cellars near the town of La Rochelle, the historic medieval port that  made Cognac famous many centuries ago. The proximity of the ocean, the natural regulation of hygrometry and oceanic temperature all favor the ageing of the cognacs, giving them fullness, elegance and a unique character."