St. Agnes XO 15 Year Old Brandy (700ml)

From Cornwall in the early 1880’s came Dr. W.T.Angove with his young family to settle at Tea Tree Gully in South Australia. He established a practise as a country doctor and planted vines as a recreation. That venture into viticulture grew into wine making and then into distilling. It was in 1910 when that young enterprise extended to Renmark in the Murray River Valley where the sun and soil grow grapes particularly suited to making fine brandy. St.Agnes X.O. is twice distilled by the time honoured pot still method and then matured in oak wood casks. The blend of spirits is no older than its youngest part and by Australian law, for a brandy to be designated “Very Old” that youngest part must have been matured in oak wood casks for at least 10 years. By this rule, St.Agnes X.O. is more than 20 years old: in the blend some portion is up to 50 years old.

Its age is revealed in its slightly glycerous, deep brassy / burnished copper appearance. The aromatics are heavy, sweet and sensuous with a superb amalgam of vanilla, honey, creme caramel with some fresh orange / raisin fruit cake notes underlying. Entry is soft and silky with a plush, semi sweet profile that includes dates, dark chocolate and cinnamon. Very gently warming spirit. Super fine, dusty tannins dry the mid palate; finishes fresh with a persistent orange cake, caramel and cocoa fade that returns late and with surprising intensity. Australia’s answer to Cognac. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... This brandy is all about the subtle integration of fruit and oak. At 15 years of age, it’s impressive that the oak hasn’t taken over, showing serious attention to detail in the cask selection and blending process. A delicate nose of waxed fruit hints at real power despite the relatively low alcohol, and the oak is a teasing rather than aggressive presence. The easy-going palate reveals layers of marzipan, orange cake, and gentle tannin, making it effortless to drink. This has long been one of my favourite Australian spirits, so I’m trying not to let confirmation bias get in the way, but there’s nothing to fault. The texture is there in spades, a difficult achievement when grapes have far less naturally occurring oils than grains. 95 points - Fred Siggins, James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

Further notes from the producers: St. Agnes XO Brandy is a deeply coloured, full-bodied and extremely complex spirit. The extended marriage of spirit, wood and time has produced an aromatic brandy with subtle rancio aromas evident. The palate is smooth, dry and long with a nutty oak aftertaste. It is a brandy that because of its complexity, finesse and elegance has become the benchmark of Australian aged brandies. A prodigious winner of medals and trophies at local and Euopean Wine Shows, St. Agnes 7 Star XO Very Old Brandy is Australia's most highly awarded premium brandy. It has on two occasions won a World Championship Trophy .