Dudognon Vieille Reserve 20 Year Grande Champagne Cognac

About

The Dudognon family has produced Cognac in the small town of Lignieres Sonneville since 1776. This region is the heart of the famed Grande Champagne of Cognac, where the soil is largely composed of Campanian chalk and spirits from this premier cru are especially renowned for their tremendous length.

Dudognon eau-de-vie is made from what they consider to be their finest parcels (which are organically farmed) and aged in their small, rustic chai. Decisions made during distillation are done with glass in hand rather than with scientific instruments. The wood for their barrels is air-dried for 5 years right next to the chai.

While many cognacs are laden with permitted additives (sugar, boisé, caramel), the only additive used in Dudognon Cognac is water. Because of this, their color is fairly light and their sweetness comes only from naturally concentrated fruit. The length of these Cognacs—some of the finest spirits from the Grand Champagne—is counted in minutes.

Dudognon Vieille Reserve 20 Year Grande Champagne Cognac is made from 100% Ugni-blanc, distilled over a wood fire and aged in new Limousin oak barrels without sugar, wood or caramel. The Vieille Réserve is mainly drunk as a digestive. It can be paired with caramel ice cream, plum pie, dark chocolate.

Tasting Notes

NOSE: Sharpness and straightness. Notes of candied fruit, apricot and plum scents, light leather aromas and rancio notes

PALATE: Pleasant, fine and ample on the palate, with notes of sweet spices and flowers. Slight rancio in the end.

FINISH: Long, fine and elegant.