Dudognon Reserve des Ancetres Cognac (700ml)

The Dudognon family have grown grapes in the small town of Lignières-Sonneville, in the heart of Grande Champagne, since 1766. When it comes to Cognac, they have remained committed to creating an artisan product. Decisions made during distillation are purely from the glass, the oak for their barrels is air-dried for five years next to the chai, and while many cognacs are laden with permitted additives (sugar, boisé, caramel), water is the only secondary ingredient at Dudognon (because of this, their colour is relatively light). Their Reserve des Ancetres is approximately thirty years old.

Tasting note: Deep gold colour. Initial nosings are restrained. Ten minutes in the glass yields moderate scents of honey, apricot, fig and a trace of pepper. The palate shows good concentration with a nice balance between fruit and grippy tannin, though overall the mouthfeel remains very dry by Cognac standards. Spicy, cedary, vanillan oak back palate. Finishes quite dry and slightly tannic. An attractive aperitif style. 40% Alc./Vol.