JLP Across the Decades – #3
Background
Let’s take a break from all this Grande Champange and visit Petite Champagne. This cognac was distilled from a 1979 vintage of 100% Ugni Blanc grapes, aged forty-one years in Limousin oak, and bottled at 52.2% by German company Kirsch Import.
Tasting
The nose is earthy and woody. Petrichor and wood chips, some gentle floral notes, and in the background some lemon zest and green apple candy notes. This honestly doesn’t smell like much.
The palate, however, is a completely different story. The tart fruit notes come to the fore, abounding with Granny Smith apple, lemon, sweet grapes, green mango, and underripe banana – it feels very fresh and alive. There’s a little bit of earthiness coming through, and the oak influence is delicate. It’s almost reminiscent of low-ester Worthy Park.
Verdict
Where the nose on the 90s “D’Eraville” made promises the palate couldn’t keep, the palate on the L.79 goes above and beyond the expectations set by the nose. I honestly wonder if it was something wrong with my nose, as other reviewers have not reported this issue. Wishing I had a full bottle of this! (8/10)
Click here to view all posts in my “JLP Across the Decades” series.