Paul Giraud Noblesse Grand Champagne Cognac (500ml)

Paul Giraud's 'Noblesse' is a stunning composition marrying incredible depth of age with youthful vibrancy (a small percentage is aged in demijohns). It boasts a sublime perfume of figs, nectarines, dried apricots, ripe peaches as well as sandalwood, cigar box, manuka honey, sprinklings of pepper and liquorice root and resonates with a slow, intense flood of wood spices, nectarine, fig and dried apricot flavours combined with precision-tuned astringency. Six decades finds the wood (almost) too much; However Giraud's oldest bottlings are noted for their ethereal return from the back palate. You get it here in an encore that completely defies expectations: a haunting, sustained aftertaste hinting at orchard fruits, acacia, jasmine and rose water that unfolds over several minutes. Beautifully harmonised, this mature and totally evolved cognac will show its best after decanting or ample air contact. Highest recommendation. At the time of writing, just one bottle is available. 40% Alc./Vol.

One of a declining number of first rate producers who resisted the tide of multinational take overs in Cognac, Paul Giraud's Grande Champagne range are created from a magical 35 hectares in Bouteville and in St. Même-les-Carrières. Combining traditional methods with a modern take on production, he avoids chemicals or pesticides and colouring additives in the final blends. Hand harvests are the norm, ensuring careful treatment of the grapes to yield the finest eau-de-vie. Representing one of the high points in his collection to date, 'Noblesse' comes packaged to impress in a bi-fold, lacquered timber box housing a weighty, engraved decanter and stopper.