After her first release, the fresh, delicate and gourmet Iris Poivré, Fanny Fougerat set out to create a more virile, aged and complex Cognac. This would be Cèdre Blanc, a Cognac from Fins Bois, a cru with limestone, loam and clay soils, which produces round, supple, rapidly aging eaux de vie. The grapes come from a single parcel, "Le Pin", planted exclusively with Ugni-Blanc.
During vinification, fermentation takes place between 5 and 7 days at controlled temperature (<24°C). The wine, with a PH of 3, is rich and rustic. Here, double distillation takes place in 25Hl copper, loaded with the wine's natural lees. Only 5% of the batch is aged in new, lightly toasted, fine-grained French oak barrels. These Cognacs are authentic, with no artificial additives or colorants, no filtration and no chilling. This Iris Poivré cuvée is a Cognac whose youngest eau de vie in the blend has aged at least 10 years in oak barrels; it's a XO or Extra Old.
It has a brilliant golden color with intense orange highlights. The initial nose is reminiscent of pressed grapes, characteristic of Fins Bois. Next come notes of cinnamon, vanilla and fine wood, enriched by pastry, candied apricot and black fruit aromas. The finish is marked by blond tobacco and oak essence, the hallmarks of time spent aging in old casks. The palate is full, supple and powerful, with apricot again, citrus (kumquat), liquorice, dark chocolate, leather and rolling tobacco. The complex finish draws on freshness to offer exceptional length.
Cèdre Blanc is a rich Cognac that combines finesse, strength and freshness, and requires a little time to reveal itself. It's closer to what lovers of old Cognac expect. It's wonderful as a digestive, with a chocolate, almond and candied fruit dessert, or simply with a Costa Rican coffee and a bitter chocolate croquette. And to surprise your friends, try the Bellota pata negra alliance!
