We sell gift vouchers - for more details call us on 0115 911 0555 or email us at eann@gauntleys.com
We sell gift vouchers - for more details call us on 0115 911 0555 or email us at eann@gauntleys.com
Cognac isn’t just for Christmas, here at Gauntleys we believe that it is a spirit that can be enjoyed at any time, not just after the festive dinner. For over 20 years the stunning Cognac’s of Ragnaud-Sabourin have been a mainstay of our Cognac range. Why? Because we believe that they produce some of the finest spirit in the region.
This prestigious, private estate, the Domaine La Voute was established in 1850 by the Briand family, but it was Gaston Briand who was the driving force behind its rise to fame. He began, like many other producers by selling his spirit to the large Cognac houses, Hennessey and Remy Martin in the 1930’s.
Briand was a true pioneer of the region and one of the first to recognise the different terroirs of the area. Consequently, he became president of the Charente Winegrowers Association and helped to create the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC). In due course he became instrumental in creating the 1909 and 1938 legislation that defined the various appellations within the Cognac region.
After Gaston’s death the property passed into the hands of his daughter and her husband Marcel Ragnaud, between them they continued to develop the estate under the name ‘Indivision Gaston Briand’. It wasn’t until Marcel’s daughter, Annie married Paul Sabourin that the brand name of the domaine became the one by which it is known today.
Until recently the domaine was run by ‘Les Dames du Cognac’ – Denise, Annie and Patricia, granddaughter of Gaston Briand. However, today it is Annie and her son Olivier who are in charge of the company and manage the enormous stock of old Cognac’s in their cellars. Some of the oldest spirit dates from before the 1870 phylloxera outbreak and is stored in dust encrusted demi-johns. Of course, how much of this stock remains and how much of it goes into their top cuvee the ‘Paradis’ is open to debate, but it is believed that this eau-de-vie makes up 10% of the blend with the remainder coming from 1901-1903. However, as Chris will attest to, it is a majestic spirit – “Words cannot describe the complexity of this Cognac, it floods the palate and its flavours seep into every corner of the mouth.”
Nevertheless, Ragnauld-Sabourin is not just about this historic spirit, the range as a whole is exquisite. Primarily based around the Ugni Blanc grape, their eau-de-vie’s are aromatic, elegant and beautifully floral. Tasting the range from beginning to end is an education in maturation, from the youthful exuberance of the Selection Anee, through the Alliance No10, 20 and 25 the sprit gains depth and complexity but never looses that innate elegance.
The famous Fontvielle, takes its name from a plot containing some of the estate’s oldest vineyards, on which are planted 60% Ugni Blanc,40% Folle Blanche and Colombard. The eaux-de-vie in this bottle is around 35 years old and is an exceptional Cognac with an incredibly intense, pungent bouquet of waxy orange/ apricot fruit, beeswax, and loads of spice. The flavours come in waves; this Cognac is awesome, mouth-filling, and multi-dimensional with a superb balance of sweetness and dryness.
No introduction to the domaine would be complete without mentioning the Florilege. Made from eau-de-vie that has been aged for 45 years, with the alcohol naturally reduced to 46%, it is reminiscent of a cask strength whisky with a forceful intensity of character but balanced by the elegance associated with the domiane. So, no matter which bottling you decide to explore, beware – you are in for a treat!
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