Frapin, Château Fontpinot, 100th Anniversaire, Grande Champagne Cognac (41%)

Frapin is renowned for its intense, wonderfully balanced and flavoursome cognacs. These are rich, long-lived spirits that display extraordinary complexity of aroma and depth of flavour. Each individual spirit is left to mature to its own optimum condition. The fairly small scale of production also allows the family to hold generous stocks of mature spirits. From grapes grown on the vineyards surrounding the eponymous Chateau, this XO is Rich amber in colour and chock-full of marzipan-wrapped, glacé citrus on the nose. There are few more lusciously appealing Cognacs than this example from the venerable house of Frapin.

Robert Whitehead, Spirits Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (August 2023)