MARTELL 1956 Carafe Baccarat

Nose : refined, complex. With impressive fruity freshness (passion fruit, pineapple, kaffir lime), the floral (vine leaf, lilac, mango, tuberose) and spicy (cardamom) first nose is a work of art. Allowed to breathe, meringue, whole bunches of white grapes that release a tangy juice, chlorophyll and acacia honey bring even more depth to the aroma palette. The latter is oriental and lingers on notes of Turkish delight and rose petal.

Appearance : deep burnished gold.

Palate : subtle, distinguished. Just as impressive as the first nose, the attack is characterized by flavours of vine flower, courgette tempura, mango and passion fruit. The more milky mid-palate (coconut, almond) reveals rare smoothness. Gradually, very fine skin tannins (grape, Mirabelle plum, lychee) and citrus fruit zest (lemon, grapefruit) coat the taste buds. The long end of the palate reveals more chocolate, roasted (coffee, black tea) and almost mystical (incense) tones.

Overall : long, well-balanced. The invigorating start of the finish wavers between quince jelly, lemon jam, frangipane, chlorophyll and white peach. The end of the finish enhances the flavour palette’s medicinal (ointment, clove) and mentholated development. The retro-nasal olfaction and empty glass add a magnificent liquorice, almost earthy and slightly empyreumatic (cedar, pine) touch.