Grosperrin Petite Champagne 29-47 + Pre-Phyllo

Historical P.C

We’re back in Grosperrin’s cellars, this time for something quite old. It’s a venerable assemblage of 1929 and 1947 with a little part of pre-phylloxeric cognac. Even if this Petite Champagne is  in demi-John for years, the ABV is under 40% (around 37%, which is not the case for all the lots if I’m not mistaken). This sample comes from the L406-28 and was made in 2021). 

Colour: Dark amber, orange lights. Irregular medium tears.

Nose: Very honeyed tones at first. Subtle light patine (or palepatine for those from the dark side). Powerful rancio on stable scents and rotten wood. Oaky/herbal shades then. Oxidated notes, something between old Sauternes and tawny port wine scents. A tad of heady smells on verbena and orange blossom.

Mouth: Sweet/oily texture with acidulous aftertaste. Full of citruses juice at first. Astonishing youngness on pink Grapefruit. Stunning mouth length regarding the ABV. Nice acidulous rancioted notes on umami aromas (white mushrooms, soy sauce) and yuzu juice. Probably a tad too oaky in the aftertaste.

Last Notes: Still heavy honeyed tones (hydromel) surrounded by hints of candied fruits (mainly rhubarb marmalade). Nice dash of herbal notes on fresh tarragon and basil. Strong licorice rancio. Still, some stable scents too, but less powerful than the previous impression. Back on the palate, you find fruity acidulous shades on blackberry and blackcurrant juice. Great nutty and pastry notes on dry chestnut and marzipan. Still a tad too oaky aftertaste on linseed oil and sandpapered oak plank.

Unfortunately a tad too unbalanced. A true piece of cognac history that has to stay in a library. In terms of taste, it feels quite young for its average age, but its unique patine reminds you that this P.C is quite old (youngest eau-de-vie is 74 yo). I remember that I preferred the same blend without the pre-phyllo part, more elegant with distinct rancioted notes (no sample of this one unfortunately). 

My very subjective note: 88/100

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