Eau de vie de raisin 2021, Domaine Mestépès, 100% Baco, 2years in Demijohn with Virgin Oak Staves Charred in Wood Fire Pit, 59,4% ABV, only 36 bottles, 500ml
« Christmas is coming, vendors selling roast chestnuts on the street, mince pies topped with brandy butter behind the Christmas greens on the mantlepiece, and turkey with all the trimmings on the decorated oak table. »
Colour: Heavily-oaked Chardonnay
Nose: Vanilla fudge, spun sugar, chocolate pot, lemon drizzle cake, orange posset with rhubarb and clove compote, pear and cinnamon tart, marron glacé, jelly beans, Mirabelle plum, peaches, overripe apples, chai tea, chicken and mushroom soup, plasticine, dunnage, incense, PVC trousers, freshly fired cap gun and a brand new leather sofa in a plastic cover.
Palate: Milk chocolate buttons, dark chocolate, dark chocolate truffles and rose and violet creams, plus spiced hot chocolate, vanilla latte, dunnage, petrichor, frangipane, cheese soufflé with quince jelly, fig chutney, roast beef with red wine gravy and horseradish.
Finish: Medium-cooked steak rubbed with dry spices (star anise, mace, paprika and white pepper) on a bed of sage mashed potato with wholegrain mustard.
Nose with water: Roast chestnuts, vanilla fudge and ice cream, dulce de leche, peach Melba, banana split, lemon bonbons, orange panna cotta, blueberries, sloe gin, sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes in goose fat, mince pies with brandy butter, pomegranates decorated with cloves, Christmas greenery, glue and silver polish.
Palate with water: Roast turkey with sage and onion stuffing, sprouts with chestnut and bacon, chestnut soup, marron glacé, oak table decorated with Christmas greens, vanilla fudge, dulce de leche, candied orange, pineapple and cherries, lemon tart with Chantilly cream.
Finish with water: Spun sugar, plum and nutmeg tart with vanilla cream.
Conclusion: Wonderfully rich and comforting, a real Christmas Armagnac but no need to wait for the season or buy an extra bottle or two as gifts!