François Voyer Grande Champagne Lot 46 48,3%

FRANÇOIS VOYER GRANDE CHAMPAGNE LOT 46 48,3%

Post-War Beauty

I can’t help but think about another very old Voyer, the famous Lot 28 bottled by Pieter. So what about this one? This 1946 Grande Champagne has spent 45-50 years in cask (very humid cellar condition), before its transfer to a demi-john. Verrieres chalky terroir. 48,3%. This Lot 46 will be exclusively unveiled during Whisky Live Paris 2025, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to taste this gem. With that said, here are my thoughts on this post-war GC.

Colour: Amber, old gold. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Exceptional entrance. Extremely bright. Dry apricot, pear stew. A bit waxy too. Cognac and Clynelish blend? Crystal clear nose. Everything is delivered with precision. Hints of light cigar scents. Raisins. Muesli? A bit minty in the background. 1946?? Delicate honeyed tones. Nice dry floral scents on violet and lavender. Fabulous hypnotic nose.

Palate: Extra-oily texture. Sublime rancio! Incredible palate. I mean, it goes everywhere. Quince jam, very old pineau (40/50yo), passion fruit, roasted pineapple, cigar box. Porcini mushroom. Hints of salty/smoky notes, as a reminder of the nose, but more like a rum now (Guyana?). Stunning mouth length.

Last Notes: Vivid fruity notes again, mainly with tangerine juice and tinned green plum. Noble rancio, with its dry floral shades and classic precious wood scents. Fresh minty notes. Back on the palate, it’s a marvellous combination of fruitiness, acidulous sides and roasted shades. Blackcurrant juice, papaya, pipe tobacco. Too many aromas to quote here. Perfect amount of oak influence.

A cognac that instantly makes you smile. Insolent freshness. Evolutive rancio. Intense richness. And some still doubt that Verrieres is a cheat-code terroir?

My very subjective note: 92/100

François Voyer website