Lebecq Exigence Extra-Vieux 41%

LEBECQ EXIGENCE EXTRA-VIEUX 41%

From Criteuil with shades

Criteuil. Needless to say that I love this terroir. Grosperrin GC N°34 and Le Cognac de Regis are the main examples of what can be unearthed from this magical part of Grande Champagne. With more than 50 hectares of vines, Vignobles Lebecq is one of the few producers left in the small village of Criteuil-La-Magdeleine. Out of a standard range, you can find a few rarities, including Exigence cuvee. A 100%GC blend, made with 1965, 1948, and 1968 vintages. Let’s go!

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

Nose: Full of coffee bean scents at first. Heady toasted notes, nicely counterbalanced by acidulous notes (lemon sweets, cola). Floral shades on orange blossom and jasmine. Hints of vanilla sugar and cinnamon in the background.

Palate: Oily texture. Full of acetate and its acidulous congregation: cola sweets, blackcurrant juice, tangerine juice. Still a lingering toasted side, on roasted sesame seeds and ristretto. It ends on fruity notes, especially on overcooked apple and pear.

Last Notes: Oily texture. Full of acetate and its acidulous congregation: cola sweets, blackcurrant juice, tangerine juice. Still a lingering toasted side, on roasted sesame seeds and ristretto. It ends on fruity notes, especially on overcooked apple and pear.

Bright GC profile. I miss a bit of depth and evolution through the tasting to go higher than 90. But I really like Criteuil DNA, with its typical funkiness. Honestly, I’m currently waiting for a Waterford of cognac, with precise location origins and grape characteristics. But I’m only dreaming, I know. 

My very subjective note: 90/100

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