1797 | France

"Medium-bodied. Anise, citrus peel, herbs, minerals. Soft, rounded texture. Plush palate with a delicate edge. Shows off rich fruit elements surrounded by beautiful aromatics. A sensational, elegant drink."

"A bold yet harmonious blend reminiscent of robust spice and fruit flavors, punctuated by fruity notes and delicate vanilla nuances."

"Tightly knit, focused by racy acidity and a streak of minerality, this offers subtle notes of white peach, anise, biscuit and kumquat. The refined finish echoes a smoky note."

"Beautiful, rich amber color. Somewhat shy aromas of baked pear, caramel, and spice. A soft, delicate entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body of dried fruits, mocha fudge, and dusty spice. Finishes with a star anise, caramel, and peppercorn fade."

"A sophisticated orange pulp bouquet which after aeration turns much more dry peel-like. The palate entry is intensely orange peel-like yet more sweet than bittersweet; the midpalate stage is deeply orangey, sweet and sublimely juicy. Finishes ideally citrusy/tart/astringent, then turns lithe and sweet. The benchmark for all orange flavored liqueurs/triple secs. State of the art." 96-100 pts.

"The aroma is a sweet/sour, tangerine/Mandarin orange perfume that never stops enchanting. At the palate entry the orange zest’s acidity mingles gracefully with the Cognac’s alcohol, making for delicious drinking. Satiny finish." 90-95 pts.

Tasting age: 10 years. Amber-golden color. Subtle vanilla bouquet with floral overtones and hints of prunes and apricots. Superbly balanced on the palate.

"The minerally undertow imparts a subtle, smoky note that blends with flavors of dried pineapple, biscuit, salted almond and white peach. A balanced version, with a fine bead and well-honed acidity."

"A stunning sleeper of the vintage, this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was made by winemaking guru/consultant Stephane Derenoncourt. The wine’s 14.5% alcohol tells you something about its amazing richness and intensity. Aromas of smoke, lead pencil shavings, sweet kirsch and black currants soar from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, opulent, fleshy wine. Some tannin lurks beneath the surface, but the overall impression is one of opulence and extravagance. Drink this beauty over the next decade or more." -Robert Parker

"Abundant amounts of red and black fruits intermixed with hints of tobacco leaf, earthy soil, pepper and spice. This supple-textured, delicious red is exactly what one expects of a very good Cotes du Rhone."-Robert Parker