Vallein Tercinier Lot 65 W.S 54,4%

VALLEIN TERCINIER LOT 65 GC WEALTH SOLUTION 54,4%

Majestic GC

This one has a huge reputation, mainly because Serge Valentin gave it a stratospheric score, but also because it’s a 60s Grande Champagne from VT cellars, which is a certain kind of pedigree. Let’s find out if it’s worth the hype or not.

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

Nose: Mamma mia! Stunning entrance on caramelized orange, the exact one you get into a chocolate stick during Christmas Time. Safran. Noble rancioted notes on matured beef and hesperidean perfume scents. I don’t remember many cognacs that are that much licoricy just by the nose, except the famous PC Lot 62 from Jurignac (Cognac de Pierre, Malternative B. La Corbeille de Fruits,…). Melon stew. Grand Marnier shades. In fact, it’s a bit like a « canard à l’orange » (famous duck/citrus French recipe) in your glass. Very refined nose.

Palate: Incredible palate. Atomic rancio. Peach/rosemary marmalade, strawberry juice, cinnamon sweets, 80% dark chocolate. Aromatic maelstrom carried by a perfect texture. Acidulous PC shades, with strawberry juice again, followed by blackcurrant and other kinds of berries. Bright profile. It reminds me of the surprising fruitiness of an old Lochside whisky, with its disturbing vegetable shades (fennel, carrot). Sage-infused butter and parsley. Infernal rollercoaster.

Last Notes: Apricot marmalade. Deep malted notes. Perfect kind of cognac for introspection, but its extreme fruitiness gives it a risky drinkability. Majestic palate. I can list many aromas, because it evolves so nicely. But the main thing is that’s one of the best palate I’ve got this year. Reaching this state of funambulism, in a precarious balance above the void of oak influence (50yo), is a miracle I can’t explain. Untouched richness of a marvelous GC terroir. This atypical fresh spiciness, the bright acidulous PC profile, and these malted shades…I’m not so far as to think that it could be from Criteuil.

Kind of perfect cognac. A very high level of intensity, complexity, and shades. So much delicacy. That’s gorgeous one from Chermignac. And that’s leading me to the score…

Editorial note: For the first and only time, I have to revise two previous scores. This Lot 65, as great as it is, doesn’t quite reach the level of madness and complexity I found in a Grosperrin GC N°22 or a N°34. Therefore, I will update the ratings of those two cognacs accordingly, and the changes will be mentioned in their respective reviews.

My very subjective note: 94/100

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