
André Petit Les Quatre Années de Berneuil
- Cognac age
- Special
- Growth area
- Bons Bois
- Bottle size
- 700ml
- ABV
- 44.3%
- Grape Varieties
- Ugni Blanc
Jesse C.
Reviews written: 17 (see reviews)
Average Score given: 76
Review Overview: Best & Most rated, All Reviewers & Reviews
Based out of Seattle, Washington, Jesse Cyr is an award winning bartender. His credentials include being the General Manager of internationally acclaimed bar Rob Roy as well as Head Mixologist at The Charter Hotel by Hilton. Currently, Jesse is the Beverage Manager for the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle. He has had the opportunity to work for several global brands creating various menus and cocktails with their spirits. He is also active in the competition scene being a former national finalist in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience, the National Sherry Wine Cocktail Competition, and the Bols Around the World global competition.
Unique and Intriguing
This is a really fun and cool expression. Not many produce 100% Bons Bois let alone specific vintages. The nose is just wonderful. Very lively! There are a lot of bright fruits like pear and cherries, but also rich aromas of chocolate, honey, and barrel spices. There's also something rather creamy on the nose like melted French vanilla ice cream.
The first thing that hit me on the palate was acid on the sides of my tongue like biting into a fresh green apple. The texture is round and flavors of wood, candied fruits, and vanilla bean overcome you. Since this is a Brut de Fût, it's a bit hot and might be too much for some people. Not me, however, as I gladly finished this pour.
I couldn't detect much of the higher ABV on the nose, it was mostly on the palate. It's obvious there are no additives in the bottle. The finish is fairly dry and shows just a hint of blossom flowers. It's a truly unique expression, for sure!
Flavour
Tasting
Nose
What aromas do you get when you sniff the Cognac? Do you get hints of fruits or flowers - perhaps it's sweet? Is it intense or rather flat - and most importantly, is the nose coherent to taste and finish? The nose is the most important part when tasting Cognac.
21/25
What aromas do you get when you sniff the Cognac? Do you get hints of fruits or flowers - perhaps it's sweet? Is it intense or rather flat - and most importantly, is the nose coherent to taste and finish? The nose is the most important part when tasting Cognac.
True to category
Array of smells
Intensity of smells
Balance of smells
Presence of ethanol
Mouth
A small sip: Allow your taste buds in the various areas of your mouth to distinguish the different flavours. This part of cognac tasting is described as ‘the palate’. Don’t just swallow it down; allow the liquid to touch all the regions of the mouth. Doing this is necessary as the taste buds pick up contrasting flavours in the different areas of the mouth; on the tip of your tongue to the sides, for example. Take a tiny sip to prep your palate for the sensory experience to come. Take a second larger sip, and gently roll the cognac around, etting it come into contact with every corner of your mouth. Focus on the perceived textural sensations. Are the sensations round and rich or fresh and elegant? Is the overall mouthfeel intense, balanced, disjointed, or lacking presence? In short, how does the cognac feel in your mouth?
15/20
A small sip: Allow your taste buds in the various areas of your mouth to distinguish the different flavours. This part of cognac tasting is described as ‘the palate’. Don’t just swallow it down; allow the liquid to touch all the regions of the mouth. Doing this is necessary as the taste buds pick up contrasting flavours in the different areas of the mouth; on the tip of your tongue to the sides, for example. Take a tiny sip to prep your palate for the sensory experience to come. Take a second larger sip, and gently roll the cognac around, etting it come into contact with every corner of your mouth. Focus on the perceived textural sensations. Are the sensations round and rich or fresh and elegant? Is the overall mouthfeel intense, balanced, disjointed, or lacking presence? In short, how does the cognac feel in your mouth?
1st impression
Body
Texture
Alcohol level
Taste
Quite simply, what do you taste as you gently roll the cognac around in your mouth? Pay close attention to any flavors of fruits, flowers, oak, and spices - or a complex combination of those elements. Are the flavors cohesive with the Nose and the Mouth, giving a sense of balance and complexity?
21/25
Quite simply, what do you taste as you gently roll the cognac around in your mouth? Pay close attention to any flavors of fruits, flowers, oak, and spices - or a complex combination of those elements. Are the flavors cohesive with the Nose and the Mouth, giving a sense of balance and complexity?
True to category
Complexity of tastes
Distinctiveness of tastes
Intensity of tastes
Balance of tastes
Finish
The ‘finish’ is the experience you get after you’ve swallowed the cognac. What flavours can you detect? Is it a flat or rough finish and rather sharp, or is it a slight 'punch' you like? How long does the finish last? Also think about overall balance: How does the finish compare to nose and taste?
15/20
The ‘finish’ is the experience you get after you’ve swallowed the cognac. What flavours can you detect? Is it a flat or rough finish and rather sharp, or is it a slight 'punch' you like? How long does the finish last? Also think about overall balance: How does the finish compare to nose and taste?
Flavours
Length
Power / “Smooth”
Balance
Overall Impression
Consider the Nose, Mouth, Taste, and Finish simultaneously - the cognac as a whole. Is there cohesion between the four categories, or does the cognac shine in some areas and appear dull in others? Quite simply, is the memory from the tasting experience one that will last your lifetime; is the memory good but nothing extraordinary; or is the cognac’s impact entirely forgettable?
8/10
Consider the Nose, Mouth, Taste, and Finish simultaneously - the cognac as a whole. Is there cohesion between the four categories, or does the cognac shine in some areas and appear dull in others? Quite simply, is the memory from the tasting experience one that will last your lifetime; is the memory good but nothing extraordinary; or is the cognac’s impact entirely forgettable?
Total: 80/100
- 80-84: Recommended
- 85-89: Highly Recommended
- 90-95: Exceptional
- 96-100: Superlative