Through the Grande Champagne
François Voyer
From VerriEres with love
Nested a few kilometers away from Segonzac, here is François Voyer and its 28 hectares of vines. A venerable house aware of today’s trends, open-minded on independent bottlers collaborations (LMDW, Malternative Belgium, Velier), something that was quite uncommon in the cognac world back to 2010.
After a pleasant visit through the vines, the distillation room, and the cellars, I faced the most difficult thing on Earth : a tasting session. Just kidding. So here is a little recap of this great moment!
FRANÇOIS VOYER VSOP
Grande Champagne – 6yo+ – 40%
An interesting VSOP but a tad below my expectations. After a very convincing Napoleon, I was looking for a generous young G.C, oscillating between young orchard, honey, and freshness. I found something convincing, but there is a lack of precision for this one and the wood influence was a bit too strong in my humble opinion.
My very subjective note: 79+
FRANÇOIS VOYER XO
Grande Champagne – 15/20yo – 40%
Great orchards and candied citruses notes melted to spicy and nutty shades. Subtle with a correct mouth length. But still something about the wood influence with this one. A standard G.C but it has the potential of something bigger (42/43%?).
My very subjective note: 85+
FRANCOIS VOYER XO GOLD
Grande Champagne – 20/30yo – 40%
A tad more on roasted notes than the XO. Still a nice fruitiness on candied citruses, and you also find raisins and figs notes. A smooth mix of freshness and bitterness in the aftertaste. The wood influence is more balanced here, but it could be a little better in my humble opinion.
My very subjective note: 86
François Voyer Extra
Grande Champagne – around 35yo – 42%
Here we are! This Extra is the clutch bottle in Voyer’s range. 2 extra degrees to reach another level of balance and complexity. Opulent fruitiness, perfectly balanced wood influence, delicious rancioted shades. Everything to make a stunning G.C.
My very subjective note: 89+
François Voyer Hors d'Age
Grande Champagne – 40/60yo – 43%
Triple bang! Magnificent old G.C. Very funky and exuberant. Exotic fruits, tobacco-y aromas, vegetable shades. Sweet finesse is answering to strong rancioted notes. Incredible mouth length.
I didn’t re-taste this one in perfect conditions, so here is (for the moment) an approximative note
My very subjective note: 90-91+
François Voyer Ancestral N°8
Grande Champagne – Assemblage of 1948 and 1971 – 44,3%
A beautiful nose that could keep you above the glass for hours. Very delicate palate with an acidulous texture not that far from something you also find in old P.C cognacs. A bit less talkative than the Hors d’Age, probably a bit less exotic too, but it remains a solid G.C if you ask me.
Like the Hors d’Age, I didn’t re-taste this one in perfect conditions, so here is (for the moment) an approximative note
My very subjective note: 88-90
Soon on Hors d’Age :
Peaceful hours in Jarnac
A quick stop in Marancheville
Lost in Segonzac
Ballon d’Or
Good Morning Belgium Part II.
