COGNAC & PINEAU DES CHARENTES
ARTISAN TO-THE-BONE
The house of Normandin-Mercier dates back to 1872, continuously family owned and operated at Château de la Péraudière in La Rochelle. Monsieur Edouard Normandin, the fifth generation, looks toward the future without losing sight of tradition and the past. What distinguishes Normandin-Mercier is the family’s unwavering commitment to handcrafted quality, Cognac of intention and purity.
The Cognac and Pineau des Charentes are produced from the finest plots of sustainable-farmed vineyards solely in Petite and Grande Champagne, abundant in chalky limestone soils. Cognac production at the Château de la Péraudière estate from Normandin‐Mercier is performed by hand, just like it was in the 19th century. Edouard and his team determine every detail, from the harvest to the distillation, to the stocking and blending, the labeling, the bottling and distribution.
Their Cognac begins with Ugni Blanc grown exclusively in the Grand and Petite Champagne regions, home to the highest concentration of limestone. The chalk-crumble landscape is responsible for the focused lens of flavor, depth and acidity. But perhaps their secret is the location of their cold and dark cellars, 20 minutes away from the seaside town of La Rochelle, where the air smells like sweet damp Fleur de Sel. The Cognac ages by the sea, never tainted by wood‐chip soaking bags, flavor enhancers, or coloring agents. The only ingredient is water, a claim that few others in Cognac can make. From the versatile and charming Pineau des Charentes to the more serious and distinguished Vieille Fine Champagne Cognac, the products of Normandin-Mercier are a rare collection, an album of taste and sophistication from beginning to end.
The Venerable is a blend of Cognacs all sourced from the Grande Champagne appellation and all 50 years of age or more. It is older than Edouard, so he consulted his father and his cellarbook to learn its early life. All the base wines were distilled at the farm where they were raised in order to maintain freshness. After distilling, the new eau-de-vie spent one year in new oak and then was transferred to neutral oak barrels. All barrels come from oak trees grown on the Normandin estate. With an eye to the future, Edouard followed the progress of the several Grande barrels, and assembled the blend for the Venerable in late 2022 at cask strength of 42% ABV, un-chill filtered with nothing added to sweeten or color it. Pure, natural Grande Champagne showing the grace, elegance and power of a sophisticated, well-aged Cognac.
We asked Edouard his impressions of this release of his 50-Year Venerable Cognac. His words are below:
“AN EXCEPTIONAL COGNAC: PATIENCE AND YEARS ALLOW THIS SUPPLE SPIRIT OF 1ST CRUS TO CONCENTRATE THEIR AROMAS AND EXPRESS ALL THE LENGTH, ELEGANCE AND REFINEMENT OF A GRANDE CHAMPAGNE.
TASTING NOTES:
ON THE NOSE – THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS ELEGANT, PRESENTING SPICED NOTES WITH DRIED PIT FRUITS AND ORANGE PEEL. FROM THERE IT DEVELOPS INTO BRIOCHE AND APPLE TURNOVER AROMAS FOLLOWED BY BEGUILING SCENTS OF SAFFRON AND CINNAMON.
ON THE PALATE – THE SENSATION IS SOFT AND LONG WITH A DELICACY CHARACTERIZED BY GRAPES, DRIED APRICOT AND TONES OF VANILLA. ONE OF THE SINGLE FINEST COGNACS OF THE HOUSE OF NORMANDIN-MERCIER.”
The vines for this Cognac are 100% agriculture biologique organic, entirely from the noble Petite Champagne region. Its signature is its distinct floral nose of honeysuckle and violet, with whispers of licorice and spice. The ethereal quality of the aromatics and the mid-palate balance are second to none. A classic VSOP in its own right, it also adapts well to the bar. Mixologists are finding renewed inspiration in classic Cognac-based cocktails; with its undeniable texture and aromatic intensity, the VSOP has long been the bartender’s Cognac of choice. The seven years minimum age is part of the magic of this effort.
The Vieille Fine is assembled from select oak casks of the finest crus of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, 65% to 35% respectively. The minimum age of the Cognacs is 15 years and a large portion is aged up to 20 years, beginning in 350 liter oak barrels and finishing in 600 liter tierçon casks, special vessels that have a thinner wall. A sipping Cognac that delivers a fruitcake of red and yellow plum, candied citrus peel and honey brittle.
The youngest Cognac in this blend is from the harvest of 1981. The bottling is older than Edouard himself and was assembled by his father, Jean-Marie. For the family, this is a special bottling, representing the chalkiest, finest parcels of the Grande Champagne region. The glass radiates with flecks of amber and gold, unraveling into a warm winter spice box of toasted hazelnut, burnt orange, and fresh vanilla bean. A Cognac of reflection and meditation.
To make a fine, older Pineau des Charentes, you use a fine older, Cognac. The foundation of this sun-gold potion is a 15-year Fine Champagne Cognac added to the fresh must of Ugni Blanc. No compromise, no shortcuts, true Normandin style. The Très Vieux Pineau des Charentes Blanc is deep and spicy with candied Meyer lemon, warm streusel and brioche. It shows its strength with hard aged cheeses, baked fruit tarts, and duck liver terrines.
Pure organic unfermented Merlot juice is used for this stand-alone Pineau and infused with a Cognac blended to our specifications. A brillant ruby core leads to a garnet rim and intoxicates with aromas of hibiscus, earl grey tea, and dried cherry. Uncommon in the US, Pineau des Charentes Rouge is a secret weapon for the sommelier and bartender. It surprises with blue cheeses and dark chocolate as well as blanco tequila or wheated bourbon.
Pure Ugni Blanc juice from organic vines infused with a 7-year VSOP Cognac. Aged in cask for five years before release and made once every four years. No additives, no artificial coloring, no preservatives. Lemon-straw in the glass with sweet and tangy almond, orange marmalade, golden raisins. Perfect by itself or stirred with a fine whisky.