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A 35 year old Grande Champagne Cognac: an exceptional cognac.
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The Navarre family has lived in Angoumois since the 14th century. The current property was bought by Pierre Navarre (1775-1827) in 1811, who was a landowner and merchant.
It was his grandson who built the current residence on the banks of the Charente, a strategic location as it was well chosen for loading into the hold and onto the deck of the barges (flat-bottomed boats) the wines harvested on the neighboring hillsides and the eaux de vie around the middle of the 17th century distilled in the cellars located along the river.
The Domaine extends over 11 hectares of vineyards exclusively located in Grande Champagne classified Premier Cru of the Region of Cognac. The grape varieties are predominantly Ugni Blanc (88%), 6% CoLombard and 6% Folle Blanche.
The grapes are harvested by hand, and immediately after the first and only alcoholic fermentation, the wine is distilled in a 1,000-liter red copper still - a small capacity Rare nowadays - run by the current owner. The eau-de-vie is then aged for many years in cellars along the river, a factor highly favorable qualitatively to optimal Cognacs aging through very slow evaporation.
The Cognac Navarre "Vieille Réserve" is a blend of several Très vieux vintages: 10% from 1965, 40% from 1970 to 1975, and 50% from 1978-1979. The grapes for this Cognac come exclusively from the prestigious cru Cognac "Grande Champagne". Nevertheless, the label features an unusual detail: the use of the appellation "Grande Fine Champagne", rarely used these days but authorized, the illustration drawn on the label being that of Gondeville's Domaine.
This eau-de-vie is unfiltered and "Brut de Fût", i.e. undiluted. The 45° alcohol content is obtained by blending old eaux-de-vie, often grading less than 40°, with younger ones grading around 50°. Navarre is one of the last purists of its kind, its casks being oxidized by the humidity alone in its cellar located right next to the Charente river.
The natural color (no colorants) of this eau-de-vie is a deep dark amber with golden highlights. The nose is powerful and spicy, with notes of walnut, wood, cinnamon, cocoa and leather. The rancio is powerful. More subtle notes of violets, dried mushrooms and tobacco add complexity. A fruity touch of orange zest brings a hint of freshness to this heady fragrance. An aromatic bomb!
The palate is full-bodied and intense, with notes of nutmeg, cloves, burnt wood, fruit Secs and cinnamon. Highly concentrated notes of hazelnut, walnut oil, earth and humus. Fruity hints of prune and balsamic notes. The finish is long and dry, ending on notes of dark chocolate with a hint of salt and a fine tannic sensation. A Cognac artisanal Brut and exuberant, undiluted taste experience.
