CONTE ET FILLES L’ESSENTIEL A12 46,3%
Terroir PC
First review for this estate here. Based in Chillac, in the southern part of the Bons Bois area near the Andre Petit estate, Conte & Filles has been run by sisters Blandine and Anne-Laure Conte since 2012. They own about 30 hectares across Petite Champagne, Fins Bois, and Bons Bois, and also source a small share of Grande Champagne for their XO. This A12 cuvée was made in collaboration with Cognac-Expert for their “L’Essentiel” range. A 12yo PC (2010–2022, Nonaville), bottled at 46%, with no additives, unchill-filtered and distilled without lees; aiming for a clean, malt-whisky-inspired profile. With that said, let’s go!
Colour: Gold with green lights. Medium, irregular tears.
Nose: Vivid fruity notes with a light herbal edge. Honeysuckle and basil, with subtle nutty tones of walnut cream. Poached pear scents and a touch of maltiness in the background. Sharp and clean, with no excessive oak influence.
Palate: Thick texture and a clean style, you can clearly feel the absence of lees. Sharp, fresh fruitiness on pear and cider apple. Nicely honeyed in the aftertaste. A hint of bitterness on cashew nut and lemon zest. Fresh, mentholated and lightly grassy, with touches of lemongrass.
Last Notes: The herbal profile grows with air, bay leaf, and thyme. Pleasant acidity on verjus and candied citrus. Subtle acidulous and slightly chalky notes, recalling JLP Organic 10. Finishes on fresh plum and tinned pear.
A well-balanced and refreshing profile, where fruit and herbs coexist nicely. A convincing, atypical 12yo Cognac, though I wish for a touch more alcohol integration on the palate. A bold bottling for sure.
My very subjective note: 85+/100
0 comments on “Conte et Filles L’Essentiel A12 46,3%”Add yours →