2010 Bourgoin Pineau des Charentes 'Elevage Oxidatif'

Cognac Bourgoin is a family estate located in the village of Saint Saturnin, in Charente. The family-run company dates back to nearly 100 years, when in1933, Leon Marcel Bourgoin traveled to Cognac for a vintage and fell in love with his boss' daughter. He then decided to live in the region and planted vines of Ugni Blanc to make Cognac. Frederic represents the 3rd generation and decided to shake things up. After years of selling their Cognac to larger houses, it was time to create their own house style, one that focused on terroir and artisanal distillation. All grapes are grown organically, vinified with indigenous yeasts, distilled and bottled by hand, without blending or filtration. Less than 20,000 bottles produced every year, a lot of them finding their way to some of the finest restaurants in Paris and New York. Why do we like it? The Pineau des Charentes is what we call a Vin de Liqueur from the Cognac region, a sweet aperitif that is more likely to be made by small artisan producer than big businesses. It is made by adding a one-year-old cognac, straight from the cask, to the must that is just about to ferment, thereby producing what is indeed a mixture of grape juice and brandy. Keep it in your fridge, as it’s much better chilled. It’s so good, I used to drink this since I can remember for every aperitif I had with a part of my family in Charente. But of course, this is an example that is even better of what I had back in those days, it has a soft syrupy texture, notes of sweet apricot and peach, a touch of honey, toast and walnut, showing great concentration of flavours, it will call you back for a second glass!   Grape            Ugni Blanc Country        France                                  Region          Cognac                                       Vintage         2010