Cognac is rarely born of a single eau-de-vie or a single growing area, but generally from a blend of different ages and crus, sometimes up to a hundred of them.
It can be made also exclusively from certain “cru”, for example exclusively from “Grande Champagne”, but of different ages.
Grande Champagne : about 13,000 hectares of clay and compact chalk soil. The Grande Champagne cru is located around the town of Segonzac. It produces a very fine, high-quality Cognac. It is known as the Premier Cru du Cognac.
Petite Champagne : some 16,000 hectares of clay and a more compact chalky layer of soil. Petit Champagne is very much of the same quality, but a touch lighter. It’s vineyards lie to the south-west and south-east of Grande Champagne.
Fine Champagne : The blending of Grande and Petite Champagne with a minimum of 50% of Grande Champagne is called “Fine Champagne”.
Borderies : only 4,000 hectares of unique soil on the plateau above Charente river. The eau de vie has a slight nutty taste. Borderies, which lie around the town of Burie (north-west of City of Cognac), is the smallest of the crus in the terms of acreage. Eaux-de-vie from Borderies has rich, flowery aromas and it is known as "…Cognac that ladies prefer".
Fins Bois : 37,000 hectares of soil. characterized by quick aging environment. A subtle flowery bouquet characterizes this eau de vie. The largest, and by far the intriguing cru, is Fins Bois. Geographically, it rings the other three crus. It lies, approximately, in the triangle between the towns of Rouilliac, Matha and Pons. It has a rich, full, strong aromas with a touch of the maritime climate.
Bons Bois : less chalky but more earthy soil of 16,000 hectares that is well reflected in the eau de vie.
Bois Ordinaires et Bois Communs (Bois a Terroir); 30,000 hectares of soil influenced by the Atlantic climate. Bons Bois and Bois Ordinaires are the exterior crus heavily influenced by the climate of the Atlantic ocean. They contribute less and less to the overall production of Cognac but are, nevertheless, known to produce some interesting Cognacs.
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Jean Grosperrin - N° 67 Fins Bois
Collection Cognac
Expressive, mushroom and mocha nose. Powerful and oily on the palate, notes of wood, liquorice. Generous and rich finish, slightly peppery. Rather rustic character.
Rough from cask.
Jean Grosperrin -1968- Fins Bois
Collection Cognac – Artisan Vintage
"Very clear colour. The nose is very peppery and lemony, with later notes of violet and coffee and then of smoke. It is light and fresh, very slightly rough, and savoury on the palate, with the alcohol still sensible, and a constantly present mineral texture. It is a very fine product resulting from Fins Bois in calcareous soil. A discrete, secret and fine cognac," Le Rouge et le Blanc, 2001.
Reduced.
Jean Grosperrin -1968- Fins Bois 35cl
Collection Cognac – Artisan Vintage
"Very clear colour. The nose is very peppery and lemony, with later notes of violet and coffee and then of smoke. It is light and fresh, very slightly rough, and savoury on the palate, with the alcohol still sensible, and a constantly present mineral texture. It is a very fine product resulting from Fins Bois in calcareous soil. A discrete, secret and fine cognac," Le Rouge et le Blanc, 2001.
Reduced.
Jean Grosperrin -1975- Fins Bois
Collection Cognac – Artisan Vintage
Mushroom, orange peel nose. Winy on the palate, lighter and tenser than that of 1978. Such tension makes it more elegant.
"Mature nose with notes of nut, leather, nougat and something of an Amontillado... Very spicy on the palate with vanilla and cedar notes, long and rich finish," Andreas Larsson, 2008.
Jean Grosperrin -1983- Fins Bois
Collection Cognac – Artisan Vintage
Nice mahogany hue. Classical nose, well balanced and pleasant. Tasted straight, the effect was very tannic ; mouth-drying and somewhat bitter. Water brings the oily notes forward (adding liqurice), introduces some white flowers notes. After a few minutes, the white flowers notes turn into fruity notes. Viscous, even waxy mouth-feel; some sweetness to start and then spicy (nutmeg, liquorices, cloves) and bitter (wreck wood). Finishes long and nervous.
Jean Grosperrin -1988- Fins Bois
Collection Cognac – Artisan Vintage
Pale yellow colour. Very fine cognac, fresher than that of 1989. The aroma of distillation is still perceptible. Full of smoothness and elegance. Lively and direct on the palate.
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