Gautier Cognac VSOP

10 generations of savoir-faire and tradition are culminated in the Gautier XO Cognac, passing their knowledge down from father to son, preserving and enhancing their expertise while adding innovation with every branch of the family tree. This brilliant blend of eaux-de-vie has won countless awards, earning the prestigious title of World’s Best Cognac in 2015 at the World Cognac Awards.

What makes Gautier’s Cognac stand out from the rest is the cellars used for ageing their Cognacs. Located in a former water mill above the river Osme, the cellars hold a natural humidity, which many say is the secret to producing a richer Cognac, producing round and complex flavors as the Cognac gradually absorbs the tannins from the traditional oak casks they are stored in.

This wonderful XO opens onto a predominantly floral bouquet, with warming toasted notes balanced by sweet vanilla and honey, the distinct “rancio” character permeates between these sumptuous scents. On the palate, the sweet hit of candied fruits immediately awakens the senses, with wood and vanilla rounding out the delicate fruit flavors. Some spices and peppery notes persist on the palate in a long and spicy finish. The finish is lasting and consistent, a true hallmark of a high quality, well-aged Cognac.

A blend of eaux-de-vie aged a minimum of two years, the Gautier VS Cognac embodies the first aging of Cognac carefully crafted by the Cellar Master of Maison Gautier, Isabelle Couprie. Its harmony is due to the careful blend of Fins Bois and Bons Bois eaux-de-vie that creates a perfectly balanced taste, somewhat unusual in such a young Cognac, combining the best of both crus. The Fins Bois is famous for its heavy soil, producing eaux-de-vie that age quite quickly and express a wonderful aroma of fresh grapes; meanwhile, the coastal location of the Bons Bois gives a rustic, down-to-earth character. Judging by its astounding collection of awards and medals, the quality of this VS expression certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by experts around the world.

Based on the Osme river in the town of Aigre, Gautier Cognac is amongst the oldest Cognac houses. Their casks lay resting in an 18th century water mill, providing a humid microclimate that creates a pronounced flavor. The Gautier family are passionate about the skill of aging; their relationship with the importance of wood goes back to their 17th century ancestors who were forest owners near Tronçais. In 1644, Charles Gautier married Jacquette Brochet, a winemaker’s daughter, bringing together the skills and expertise of two families to create Gautier Cognac. 

Claude Chatelier VSOP Cognac: a true expression of fine Champagne
An extraordinary expression of terroir, Claude Chatelier VSOP Cognac is classified as Fine Champagne, meaning that the spirits used all come from the Grande or Petite Champagne areas, with at least 50% coming from the larger of the two crus. The youngest component of the blend has been aged for at least four years, making this a balanced and structured Cognac, rich in notes of tobacco leaves, leather and spices.

As a brand of the House of Ferrand, the ethos behind Claude Chatelier Cognac is that the final product must always represent a true expression of the land from which it comes. The grapes are grown and harvested without mass production techniques, and each year the harvest is left to ripen naturally in dark cellars before being bottled at an optimal age.

Selected for their high quality, the grapes are pressed and transformed into wine before being traditionally distilled and slowly ripened until just the right moment. For the production of Claude Chatelier Cognac, only wines from the best regions are used; the result is a subtle and balanced Cognac that persists on the palate.