Cognac Frapin – Millésime 1989 30 Years 70 cl. 40,3%

Frapin 1989 30 years 40.3%, is a phenomenal Cognac. 1989 was a temperamental year with a lot of heat, but there were good conditions in the region, which produced a good harvest.
This vintage cognac is produced exclusively from Ugni Blanc, from the western part of Frapin’s vineyards. The soil here is typically calcareous and clay, and is protected from below by the typical crumbling lime that characterizes the Grande Champagne area. 1989 promised well right from the start. BNIC (Bureau National Interproffesionel du Cognac) has over the years tested and monitored that the cognac has been sealed in the cellars for 30 years. This 30-year-old cognac has been in Frapin’s damp cellars, which gives extra roundness and softness. It is the first time that a vintage cognac at Frapin has been aged moist and not dry. These rare cognacs, which require no blending, just intuition and skill, are traditionally stored in dry cellars, on the top floor. The nose is fruity, delicate and precise, there are intense notes of orange, both pulp and zest from the peel. There are notes of gingerbread, dried apricot and notes of apple. On the taste there are wonderful notes from the dish, apricot dominates, but there are also hints of licorice and candied fruit flowers. There are notes of smoke from the cask, some cigar wood, leather and a bit of rancio character. There is enormous length and finish to this cognac, a seductive intensity and a depth and harmony that only 30 years in the cellar can produce. Single Cask, Single Domaine, Grand Champagne, Cask Strength, No Sugar, no caramel color. The Perfect Cognac. Available at Vinoble.
Gilbert & Gaillard gives 96/100 in 2021.

Few companies in Cognac can – like the Frapin family – carry the tradition of cognac production all the way back to the year 1270. Cognac Frapin has the rare honor of being the largest vineyard owner in the Grande Champagne district. In addition to the 200 ha. vineyards, all of which are in the Grande Champagne area, Frapin also owns one of the most beautiful and famous properties in the 1. Cru: Château Fontpinot on 147 ha. You can’t imagine a better location. Château Fontpinot is both one of the most remarkable and one of the largest estates.

One explanation for the exquisite product is the art involved in mixing cognac. Even Frapin’s 1270 – the most modest of the company’s cognac series – is composed exclusively of Grande Champagne cognac, and VSOP can additionally boast the designation 1. Cru du Cognac. Their aging in oak casks made from wood from the well-known Limousin forest makes it possible to blend and bottle unique products. The house works with a basement storage, which is damp and cold, and an attic storage, which is dry and warmer. This gives two completely different expressions, where the moisture evaporates more alcohol than water, and the dryness evaporates more water than alcohol.

Over the centuries, Cognac Frapin has built up a long tradition of good craftsmanship and stability in production, which is why they have a good reputation as a major distiller of luxury cognac.

At the same time as being a well-established cognac house with roots in history, they work a lot with the environment in Cognac. The house has just achieved the highest attainable designation HVE-3 for the conservation of biodiversity in and around their fields.