Delaunay 1914

DELAUNAY (LEBECQ) 1914, presumably 40%

Fragments of Time

Sometimes, I like to imagine cognac as a time machine. You take a sample of a historic vintage, and you focus on all the things that occurred during this harvest. 1914 is often described as a “women’s vintage”, and for good reasons. Moreover, if you focus on cognac things, among a dozen reviewed, nothing but exceptional quality gems. As a blink to all the brave women involved in this particular vintage. Now, let’s talk about this Lebecq/Delaunay bottling. I don’t have that much information about this 1914, it could be from Criteuil (but nothing certain, as it’s a Delaunay), it’s 40ish% cognac and unfortunately, there is a tad of oxidation, as the sample has been taken from a bottle opened for a while. With that said, let’s go!

Colour: Dark amber, orange lights. Irregular medium tears.

Nose: Stunning entrance on blackcurrant juice and fresh tangerine. That much freshness in a 1914 bottling. Insolent is the proper word here. Very elegant, even if you can presume something fragile (and maybe a bit of oxidation) just by the nose. Bright floral nose on orange blossom and violet. Very Borderies-like indeed. This floral/citrus bright profile reminds me a lot of JJ Vidal’s eau-de-vie. Mint tea, tomato water, and fresh apricot. Hints of pinewood and sandalwood scents in the background.

Palate: High level of acidity. Gentle violet sweets notes. Unfortunately, you can feel this isn’t the prime of this venerable eau-de-vie. This palate owns a magnificent patine, that’s undeniable. But there are obvious marks of oxidation. Sublime honeyed aromas in the aftertaste. Doesn’t feel that old, maybe 30/50yo of oak aging. 

Last Notes: Orange marmalade. Limoncello. Keeping that much complexity with such bad conservation conditions is a miracle. Hints of rhubarb pie notes. Blackcurrant juice. Cola sweets. Infused sage. Breakfast tea. The palate remains fragile but very elegant.

Well, cheat-code terroir (if it’s actually from Criteuil) and 1914 can give fabulous cognacs. Here is another proof. Even if it wasn’t the prime of this cognac, it was a clue to something huge here. Reminding me a bit of Grosperrin Fins Bois 1926 fragile profile. Nose: 91+ Palate: 88. 

My very subjective note: around 90/100

More info about Vignobles Lebecq / Delaunay