Cognac Frapin Millesime 1990 27 Years Old Cognac Grande Champagne 700 ml

Elegant and taut, supple and bright; Frapin Millésime 1990 – 27 Years Old is a truly exceptional cognac. It is the result of a complex alchemy; a union of a unique terroir, knowledge passed from generation to generation and a passion for excellence. It embodies the Frapin style with its voluptuous aromatic richness and its infinitely long finish. The 1990 vintage was an unusual year that has endowed Frapin Millésime 1990 with a unique personality. It comes entirely from Frapin’s Les Gabloteaux vineyard located within the 314 hectare domaine.

Millésime 1990 – 27 Years Old offers a bright, yellow-orange coloured with a warm glow. The nose has delicate floral aromas dominated by jasmine, with apricot, mango and orange nuances. Subtle woody notes underscore everything. In the mouth it is powerful yet incredibly elegant and balanced. Apricot and fig notes are complemented with hints of liquorice and toasted nuts. The palate continues with a lingering rancio character which persists through to the finish.

‘Coming entirely from Frapin’s Les Gabloteaux vineyard in Grande Champagne, this 1990 vintage was bottled after 27 years of aging in dry cellars. Deep amber, with big patisserie aromas on the nose, along with jasmine and mango. Surprisingly fruity on the palate, featuring apricot and fig, but then serious rancio notes come at midpalate, along with toasted nuts and pepper. Not as great as the 1991 or 1988, but still a very fine Cognac for the price. (41.3% abv)’ 93 points, Jason Wilson, Vinous, September 2019.

'Few houses in Cognac have the hallowed history of Frapin, still owned by the original family, who can trace their winegrowing and distilling back to 1270 (the current CEO is the 21st generation). Consider: The family’s coat of arms was bestowed by Louis XIV; the quill logo was designed in honor of famed author François Rabelais, whose mother was a Frapin; Gustave Eiffel constructed the building where the blending is carried out. On a tour, as we passed some cobwebbed old demijohns, I was casually told, ‘Here is the harvest of 1870.’ Jason Wilson, Vinous, September 2019.

Frapin is located in the centre of the Grande Champagne, Premier Cru du Cognac region in the sleepy little town of Segonzac, the finest designated region in Cognac. It is the only merchant located in the town and only sells Cognacs produced from grapes sourced from its own 240ha estate in the heart of the Grande Champagne region. The Frapin family have been wine growers since 1270, but until the 1980s the family’s primary business was as a distiller and supplier of mature Cognacs to Remy Martin, Hennessy and Courvoisier.

In 1984 the Cointreau family (direct descendants of the Frapins) ascended to the management of the company with Beatrice Cointreau at the helm. Since then Cognac Frapin has been re-invigorated and re-positioned as a producer of the very finest Cognacs in its own right, marketed under its own name.

At Frapin all the fruit for the Cognacs is grown on the estate and is usually harvested 2-3 degrees riper than the regional norm to bring extra flavour to the base wine. Distillation always takes place with the lees from fermentation, adding texture and length as well as extra dimensions of flavour complexity. The young Cognacs are aged for a good 2 years or more in new Limousin oak (much more than is typical), before being transferred to older barrels for the long haul. And whilst the average stockholding in the Cognac region is just on 7 years, Frapin currently holds 16 years in stock, highlighting the extra complexity that age brings to its range of Cognacs.

The ageing of the Cognacs at Frapin is further distinguished, with maturation taking place in one of two distinctly different environments. Long ageing in the humid cellars underground makes for a rich and powerful style, whereas the drier attics emphasise fruit and bring a finer and more elegant finish to the Cognac.