| Vintage and Pre-Phylloxera Cognac The Greatest Brandy |
Only brandy made from Grapes grown in the delimited district of France in the Charente known as Cognac may be
named cognac. The boundaries of this area were set down in 1909 and have been subdivided into seven
divisions of varying quality. In order of preference, they are: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies,
Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires and Bois à Terroir.
All cognac is made from wine that is fermented from whole grapes - flesh, skins, seeds and all. The resulting
wine is double-distilled in pot stills, and the heart of the second distillation is destined to become cognac. It is
aged in new oak casks for one year, and then transferred to used oak casks, lest it take on too much tannin from
the virgin oak.
The letters on the label V.O. and V.S.O.P. mean that the cognac has been aged for at least 4 and a half years,
although in practice V.S.O.P. cognacs have usually been aged for at least 8 years. If the label is printed with the
words Extra, Napoléon or Vieille Réserve, the French government warrants that the cognac in the bottle has been
aged for a minimum of 5 and a half years. Stars found on cognac labels came from a superstitious shipper of
brandy who put a star on his bottles to pay homage to the great "Comet" vintage of 1811, one of the best ever for
cognac. Today, French law states that three-star cognac, the youngest, must be aged for a minimum of 18 months.
named cognac. The boundaries of this area were set down in 1909 and have been subdivided into seven
divisions of varying quality. In order of preference, they are: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies,
Fins Bois, Bons Bois, Bois Ordinaires and Bois à Terroir.
All cognac is made from wine that is fermented from whole grapes - flesh, skins, seeds and all. The resulting
wine is double-distilled in pot stills, and the heart of the second distillation is destined to become cognac. It is
aged in new oak casks for one year, and then transferred to used oak casks, lest it take on too much tannin from
the virgin oak.
The letters on the label V.O. and V.S.O.P. mean that the cognac has been aged for at least 4 and a half years,
although in practice V.S.O.P. cognacs have usually been aged for at least 8 years. If the label is printed with the
words Extra, Napoléon or Vieille Réserve, the French government warrants that the cognac in the bottle has been
aged for a minimum of 5 and a half years. Stars found on cognac labels came from a superstitious shipper of
brandy who put a star on his bottles to pay homage to the great "Comet" vintage of 1811, one of the best ever for
cognac. Today, French law states that three-star cognac, the youngest, must be aged for a minimum of 18 months.
An 1865 cognac, relabelled for the UK
market in the early 1920's.
The label reads:
"Removed during the War from the
Cellars of one of the Old French
Chateau's and is undoubtedly the finest
specimen of Cognac Liqueur shipped to
this country for many years." In other
words, bought from an old cellar in
France, and then relabelled by a British
wine merchant. The bottle itself is
extremely early and full of character -
certainly not later than 1850-1870. Entirely
hand blown-glass, pale aquamarine as
typically used for cognac, very deep punt,
several bubbles and irregularities, a
remarkable 8 cm long bubble in the neck.
Excellent level, sound cork.
SOLD
market in the early 1920's.
The label reads:
"Removed during the War from the
Cellars of one of the Old French
Chateau's and is undoubtedly the finest
specimen of Cognac Liqueur shipped to
this country for many years." In other
words, bought from an old cellar in
France, and then relabelled by a British
wine merchant. The bottle itself is
extremely early and full of character -
certainly not later than 1850-1870. Entirely
hand blown-glass, pale aquamarine as
typically used for cognac, very deep punt,
several bubbles and irregularities, a
remarkable 8 cm long bubble in the neck.
Excellent level, sound cork.
SOLD
A superb Rouyer, Guillet & Cie Grande
Champagne Cognac, circa 1873
Excellent level, branded cork, wonderful
condition. "Finest Old Liqueur" Grande
Champagne Cognac, 50 years old at the
time of bottling. Traditional blown
blue-tinged glass bottle with deep punt.
This cognac was bottled (at the latest) in
the early 1920's, "1873" written in pencil
on the label. A superb vintage cognac
from a prestigious house, likely from the
very tail-end of the pre-phyloxera era.
.
SOLD
Champagne Cognac, circa 1873
Excellent level, branded cork, wonderful
condition. "Finest Old Liqueur" Grande
Champagne Cognac, 50 years old at the
time of bottling. Traditional blown
blue-tinged glass bottle with deep punt.
This cognac was bottled (at the latest) in
the early 1920's, "1873" written in pencil
on the label. A superb vintage cognac
from a prestigious house, likely from the
very tail-end of the pre-phyloxera era.
.
SOLD
A very fine dated cognac: Martell
Brandy 1900.
Excellent level, wonderful condition.
Click on the images to enlarge.
SOLD
Brandy 1900.
Excellent level, wonderful condition.
Click on the images to enlarge.
SOLD
Hine Grande Champagne Cognac
1928
Excellent level, branded cork,
wonderful condition. A superb vintage
dated cognac from one of the very
finest houses. Extremely rare.
SOLD
1928
Excellent level, branded cork,
wonderful condition. A superb vintage
dated cognac from one of the very
finest houses. Extremely rare.
SOLD
Cognac Roi de France Fine Champagne
1811
Excellent level, original 19th century wax,
wonderful condition. A superb cognac from
the legendary "Comet" vintage of 1811.
SOLD
1811
Excellent level, original 19th century wax,
wonderful condition. A superb cognac from
the legendary "Comet" vintage of 1811.
SOLD
Pierre Chabanneau & Co Fine Champagne Cognac, Vintage
1850
5 bottles, available individually or as a parcel.
Chabanneau is a very old marque whose 19th century
cognacs were renowned for their quality. The firm was set up
in 1830 as a partnership between Pierre Chabanneau, the
cellarmaster at the Grande Hotel in Paris and a
entrepreneurial Dutch trader. Chabanneau has always been
particularly esteemed by the grandest Michelin-starred
restaurants and today is sold in 30 different countries. Some
years ago they were bought by Camus, so they are now part of
the same stable.
The bottles were bought by the previous owners on auction in
the 1950's, and have been perfectly stored ever since. This
cognac would have been kept in barrel and then glass
demi-johns before it was bottled in the early 1920's. The
bottles themselves are fully branded both on the neck and on
the base.
SOLD.
1850
5 bottles, available individually or as a parcel.
Chabanneau is a very old marque whose 19th century
cognacs were renowned for their quality. The firm was set up
in 1830 as a partnership between Pierre Chabanneau, the
cellarmaster at the Grande Hotel in Paris and a
entrepreneurial Dutch trader. Chabanneau has always been
particularly esteemed by the grandest Michelin-starred
restaurants and today is sold in 30 different countries. Some
years ago they were bought by Camus, so they are now part of
the same stable.
The bottles were bought by the previous owners on auction in
the 1950's, and have been perfectly stored ever since. This
cognac would have been kept in barrel and then glass
demi-johns before it was bottled in the early 1920's. The
bottles themselves are fully branded both on the neck and on
the base.
SOLD.
Cognac Napoleon Grande Champagne
1811 Reserve
Good seal, and good level. This is a
known 1811 label, and was likely
bottled from demijohns in the 1880's
for the high-end restaurant trade.
Blown in the mould bottle with a deep
punt. This is a very highly regarded
bottling indeed, and when occasionally
bottles have come on to the market,
they have always realized well above
the estimates.
SOLD
1811 Reserve
Good seal, and good level. This is a
known 1811 label, and was likely
bottled from demijohns in the 1880's
for the high-end restaurant trade.
Blown in the mould bottle with a deep
punt. This is a very highly regarded
bottling indeed, and when occasionally
bottles have come on to the market,
they have always realized well above
the estimates.
SOLD
Croizet Bonaparte Cognac
Fine Champage 1906
A superb bottle from a
famous marque.
SOLD
Fine Champage 1906
A superb bottle from a
famous marque.
SOLD
Barnett's 1934 Grande Champagne Cognac
Landed 1935, bottled 1962.
Immaculate condition.
SOLD.
Landed 1935, bottled 1962.
Immaculate condition.
SOLD.
Cognac Otard Dupuy & Co
Original lithographic poster, circa 1910.
SOLD
Original lithographic poster, circa 1910.
SOLD
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Pre-phyloxera cognac
Pre-phylloxera cognac is fundamentally different from the modern product in a way not true of most other spirits or
other wines. The original Cognac vineyards - which are believed to date back to Roman times, were chiefly
planted with Folle Blanche, a thin-skinned grape variety, highly prone to mildew and rot, but which in good
vintages produces a brandy of incomparable perfume and character. Under huge financial pressure, when it
come to re-planting the vineyards after phyloxera, the Cognac growers replanted with grafted Ugni Blanche, which
yields a less interesting brandy, but is much higher yielding and easier to grow. The unique character and depth
of the 50 - 60 year old Folle Blanche vines was lost forever. Today, less than 5% of the total Cognac vineyard is
Folle Blanche, the rest is all Ugni Blanche (and the Cognac vineyard is far smaller - just on 80 000 hectares
compared to 230 000 hectares in its heyday in the mid 19th century).
Pre-phylloxera cognac has a unique quality, not found in modern cognacs.
The 1811 vintage
1811 was regarded at the time as the greatest vintage in living memory, and is now universally held to be the
finest vintage of the 19th century throughout the vineyards of Western Europe. A long hot summer and a warm dry
autumn meant an abundant harvest of perfectly ripe grapes, from Bordeaux to Burgundy, from the Rheingau to the
Pre-phylloxera cognac is fundamentally different from the modern product in a way not true of most other spirits or
other wines. The original Cognac vineyards - which are believed to date back to Roman times, were chiefly
planted with Folle Blanche, a thin-skinned grape variety, highly prone to mildew and rot, but which in good
vintages produces a brandy of incomparable perfume and character. Under huge financial pressure, when it
come to re-planting the vineyards after phyloxera, the Cognac growers replanted with grafted Ugni Blanche, which
yields a less interesting brandy, but is much higher yielding and easier to grow. The unique character and depth
of the 50 - 60 year old Folle Blanche vines was lost forever. Today, less than 5% of the total Cognac vineyard is
Folle Blanche, the rest is all Ugni Blanche (and the Cognac vineyard is far smaller - just on 80 000 hectares
compared to 230 000 hectares in its heyday in the mid 19th century).
Pre-phylloxera cognac has a unique quality, not found in modern cognacs.
The 1811 vintage
1811 was regarded at the time as the greatest vintage in living memory, and is now universally held to be the
finest vintage of the 19th century throughout the vineyards of Western Europe. A long hot summer and a warm dry
autumn meant an abundant harvest of perfectly ripe grapes, from Bordeaux to Burgundy, from the Rheingau to the
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1811 cognac
The exceptional quality of 1811 cognac was recognised immediately, and the leading producers marked the vintage either with the date
onthe bottle, or, more unusually, with a picture of the comet forever associated with the vintage. The date "1811" or the star (as the comet
symbol soon became) were regarded as signs of infallible quality, and the leading producers were not slow to exploit this. By the late
nineteenth century there were a plethora of "1811 Cognacs". Some of these still survive today, and most are very fine, but perhaps some
should correctly be regarded as tributes to the vintage of 1811, rather than as the actual product of the year - producers simply used the
designation "1811" as a way of signifying their very best and oldest blend, regardless of the actual composition of the brandies. In the 1930's
and 1959's unscrupulous producers mainly in the US re-bottled many ordinary brandies under faked "1811" labels - these are easy to
recognise, but still turn up every year on auction and can fool the unwary.
Contemporary bottlings of the 1811 vintage can be recognised first and foremost by the characteristics of the glass bottle itself, which must
clearly date from the 1820's or 1830's, when this cognac was originally bottled. They are extraordinarily rare.
The exceptional quality of 1811 cognac was recognised immediately, and the leading producers marked the vintage either with the date
onthe bottle, or, more unusually, with a picture of the comet forever associated with the vintage. The date "1811" or the star (as the comet
symbol soon became) were regarded as signs of infallible quality, and the leading producers were not slow to exploit this. By the late
nineteenth century there were a plethora of "1811 Cognacs". Some of these still survive today, and most are very fine, but perhaps some
should correctly be regarded as tributes to the vintage of 1811, rather than as the actual product of the year - producers simply used the
designation "1811" as a way of signifying their very best and oldest blend, regardless of the actual composition of the brandies. In the 1930's
and 1959's unscrupulous producers mainly in the US re-bottled many ordinary brandies under faked "1811" labels - these are easy to
recognise, but still turn up every year on auction and can fool the unwary.
Contemporary bottlings of the 1811 vintage can be recognised first and foremost by the characteristics of the glass bottle itself, which must
clearly date from the 1820's or 1830's, when this cognac was originally bottled. They are extraordinarily rare.
Bisquit Dubouche Grande Champagne Cognac 1840
A very rare bottle.
A very rare bottle.
Barriasson Old Liqueur Cognac, Vintage 1834
SOLD
SOLD
Berry Bros & Rudd Fine Champagne Cognac
Vintage 1885
Immaculate condition.
SOLD.
Vintage 1885
Immaculate condition.
SOLD.
Army & Navy Stores Grande Fine
Champagne bottled 1924.
A classic example of an
English-bottledcognac from a very
prestigious merchant: Army & Navy
Stores catered to senior officers in the A
classic example of an English-bottled
British military, and the regimental
messes of the oldest and most
prestigious brigades. The bottle is in
superb condition.
SOLD.
Champagne bottled 1924.
A classic example of an
English-bottledcognac from a very
prestigious merchant: Army & Navy
Stores catered to senior officers in the A
classic example of an English-bottled
British military, and the regimental
messes of the oldest and most
prestigious brigades. The bottle is in
superb condition.
SOLD.
Focaud Lechantre
Cognac 1820
A rare & early bottle.
SOLD
Cognac 1820
A rare & early bottle.
SOLD
Chateau Guerin Grande
Fine Champagne 1858
SOLD
Fine Champagne 1858
SOLD
Liqueur Brandy 1878
Bottled by Bucktrout
SOLD
Bottled by Bucktrout
SOLD
Martell's Choice
Vintage Brandy 1906
Cognac SOLD
Vintage Brandy 1906
Cognac SOLD
Delamain Cognac Grande
Champagne Vintage 1906
The two most prestigious and
collectible small houses are
Delamain and Hine.
Traditionally these two have
always been the most favoured
by the great gentleman's clubs
Cambridge colleges, and the
senior regimental messes of
the British Army.
This is a very rare and
collectible cognac, early
vintage dated Delamains are
much harder to find than the
equivalent from Hine.
Immaculate condition.
SOLD.
Champagne Vintage 1906
The two most prestigious and
collectible small houses are
Delamain and Hine.
Traditionally these two have
always been the most favoured
by the great gentleman's clubs
Cambridge colleges, and the
senior regimental messes of
the British Army.
This is a very rare and
collectible cognac, early
vintage dated Delamains are
much harder to find than the
equivalent from Hine.
Immaculate condition.
SOLD.
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vineyards of Tokaji. In Cognac, the folle blanche reached an unequalled level of perfection, and the distillers knew that they were dealing with
a once in a lifetime harvest. In the same year, Napoleon himself visited the region, and was presented with a barrel of cognac as a gift for his
young son. Many ascribed the extraordinary weather to the remarkable astronomical event that had dominated the year - The Great Comet.
The comet was visible by astronomers for 17 months, but for two months - September and October 1811, exactly the time grapes were
harvested - it was clearly visible to the naked eye, illuminating the night sky with a coma that at one point exceeded the diameter of the sun. It
was taken as sign of supernatural blessing on the harvest, which henceforth was known as "The Comet Vintage".
a once in a lifetime harvest. In the same year, Napoleon himself visited the region, and was presented with a barrel of cognac as a gift for his
young son. Many ascribed the extraordinary weather to the remarkable astronomical event that had dominated the year - The Great Comet.
The comet was visible by astronomers for 17 months, but for two months - September and October 1811, exactly the time grapes were
harvested - it was clearly visible to the naked eye, illuminating the night sky with a coma that at one point exceeded the diameter of the sun. It
was taken as sign of supernatural blessing on the harvest, which henceforth was known as "The Comet Vintage".
Bisquit Dubouche Grande Fine Champagne
Cognac 1904
A highly desirable bottle. Very good
condition, front label torn at time of bottling,
rear label perfect.
SOLD
Cognac 1904
A highly desirable bottle. Very good
condition, front label torn at time of bottling,
rear label perfect.
SOLD
Croizet Reserve Royale
Cognac Fine Champagne
1894
Scarce bottle. Outstanding
near mint condition, with
original carton.
SOLD.
Cognac Fine Champagne
1894
Scarce bottle. Outstanding
near mint condition, with
original carton.
SOLD.
Caves de l'Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Vieille Fine Champagne 1865
Extremely rare and important bottles from the cellars of this legendary hotel.
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
Extremely rare and important bottles from the cellars of this legendary hotel.
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
Berry Bros Liqueur Cognac Grands Fin Bois
1850
Rare and important bottling.
SOLD.
1850
Rare and important bottling.
SOLD.
Bisquit Dubouche Cognac Grande Fine
Champagne 1811
SOLD.
Champagne 1811
SOLD.
Cognac LHeraud Grande Champagne 1899
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
Lheraud is a SINGLE VINEYARD producer of the very high quality. Some years ago they released minute quantities of a few of their
precious 19th century stocks in really extraordinarily beautiful and creative packaging, designed to mimic the way a bottle like this might
have been presented in the late 19th century - these were snapped up by French collectors and immediately disappeared off the market.
From Nicholas Faith's authorative book "Cognac"."There is only a handful of single-vineyard cognacs worthy of the name - notably from
the two branches of the Ragnaud family and from Guy Lheraud for most of the 500 or so direct sellers are relying either on price or inverse
snobbery"
The history of the family can be traced back to 1680 when Alexandre Lheraud began to cultivate land in the village of "Lasdoux". By 1795
his son Augustine a viticulturist was granted 10ha's of vineyards by Lord Bouteville. In 1875 Eugene Lheraud acquired a farm as well as a
stock of Cognacs through the dowry of his wife. In 1881 Eugene set up the first still in order to cater to the British market. At that time they
were large consumers of the regional white wines, however the transportation of large quantities proved difficult, so he decided to distil
his wines into alcohol.
Within a few years they were producing superior cognacs, which the family stored in the cellars of the Relais de Saint Jacques de
Compostelle, which during the times of the crusades (about 1000-1100 A.D.) was a station for pilgrims. 1931 saw further addition of
several ha's by Remy Lheraud wine for more than a century, Guy Lheraud having inherited the family domaine and a large stock of old
Cognac in1970 decided to market his own brand " Cognac Lheraud". In line with the family tradition he only produces cognacs of the
highest quality in the top range of old, mature Cognacs, all of which derive from the family domaine "Lasdoux"
The stamp on the bottle is meant to represent the knight known as the Chevalier de la Croix Maron. Legend has it he murdered his
adulterous wife and lover. That night he dreamt that he would be burnt twice in hell. The next day inspired by the dream he ordered his
workers to twice distil the wine that previously had been distilled once. The brandy was so good that other growers soon emulated the
knight and today all cognac is distilled twice.
precious 19th century stocks in really extraordinarily beautiful and creative packaging, designed to mimic the way a bottle like this might
have been presented in the late 19th century - these were snapped up by French collectors and immediately disappeared off the market.
From Nicholas Faith's authorative book "Cognac"."There is only a handful of single-vineyard cognacs worthy of the name - notably from
the two branches of the Ragnaud family and from Guy Lheraud for most of the 500 or so direct sellers are relying either on price or inverse
snobbery"
The history of the family can be traced back to 1680 when Alexandre Lheraud began to cultivate land in the village of "Lasdoux". By 1795
his son Augustine a viticulturist was granted 10ha's of vineyards by Lord Bouteville. In 1875 Eugene Lheraud acquired a farm as well as a
stock of Cognacs through the dowry of his wife. In 1881 Eugene set up the first still in order to cater to the British market. At that time they
were large consumers of the regional white wines, however the transportation of large quantities proved difficult, so he decided to distil
his wines into alcohol.
Within a few years they were producing superior cognacs, which the family stored in the cellars of the Relais de Saint Jacques de
Compostelle, which during the times of the crusades (about 1000-1100 A.D.) was a station for pilgrims. 1931 saw further addition of
several ha's by Remy Lheraud wine for more than a century, Guy Lheraud having inherited the family domaine and a large stock of old
Cognac in1970 decided to market his own brand " Cognac Lheraud". In line with the family tradition he only produces cognacs of the
highest quality in the top range of old, mature Cognacs, all of which derive from the family domaine "Lasdoux"
The stamp on the bottle is meant to represent the knight known as the Chevalier de la Croix Maron. Legend has it he murdered his
adulterous wife and lover. That night he dreamt that he would be burnt twice in hell. The next day inspired by the dream he ordered his
workers to twice distil the wine that previously had been distilled once. The brandy was so good that other growers soon emulated the
knight and today all cognac is distilled twice.