Grosperrin Fins Bois 33 ans 56% Lot 1137

A recent Grosperrin bottling (February 2024). This Fins Bois originates from Pessines, east of Saintes.

Colour: Dark amber, golden hues. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Quite rustic at first. Pinewood, warm sand, varnished wood. A bit like an Oléron cognac profile, though slightly more civilised. It becomes less rustic with air. Cooked plum, tinned quince and some of those warm spice notes reminiscent of the Grosperrin FB 1993.

Palate: Sharp and acidulous profile. Still a high level of rusticity. Hints of honeyed tones in the background. A tad Calvados-like, which can’t be a coincidence when you know the story behind this bottling.

Last Notes: Briny and salty shades with air. Quite vinous, with hints of old Saumur wines (peppery aged Cabernet notes). Heady touches of lychee and rosewater. Slightly disturbing in its evolution, with a certain lack of consistency. Yet even with its rusticity, it remains rather pleasant.

Wild rusticity for this 33yo Fins Bois. Some interesting spicy nuances, but I miss balance, precision and sheer pleasure here.

My very subjective note: 85+/100