Francois Voyer Terres de Grande Champagne

Nose: Subtle, earthy, almost sweaty fruit - dried figs and dates. Apricot nectar aroma along with elderflower, honey, clove, and vanilla. As it develops in the glass, an herbal note appears, and surprisingly, there's lingering jasmine on the dry glass. Overall, it's a soft, earthy floral profile. Palate: A very smooth and silky arrival featuring honeyed fruitcake and stonefruits. This expands into a warm, softly oaked development with mild cinnamon spice and vanilla. A hint of cocoa emerges in the later palate, but it remains soft with just a touch of tannin. The texture is very pleasant, slightly drying, but the light sweet character is consistently present. Finish: Medium. The spice and tannin gently fade, leaving a subtle aftertaste of vanilla and just a hint of herbs, licorice, and oak. A better-than-average Grande Champagne cognac produced entirely from the 28-hectare Voyer estate. It has at least 5 years of maturity, making it effectively a VSOP, but contains spirits up to 15 years old. At its price, it offers good value and is comparable to similarly priced cognacs I've sampled. The overall profile is well-balanced but leans slightly too much towards sweetness. The body is light, which I've observed in other single-origin cognacs (it's a refreshing change), and the mouthfeel is pleasant. The only criticisms I would offer are that the spirit exhibits youth, simplicity, and sweetness; however, at its price point, this is not a deal-breaker for me. It's acceptable for sipping neat and works well in cocktails. "Above Average": 81/100 (3 stars)

An intense eaux de vie from the Grande Champagne region of Cognac. It has an aromatic beginning with notes of fruits, wood, herbs & spices; while a rich & spicy middle added notes of apricot, linden & violets; that led to a long & balanced end. September 2017