AVAILABLE NOW: Grape of the Art Castarède 1986 - strictly limited   SHOP NOW

Courvoisier Napoléon Fine Champagne Cognac

Recommended 80 /100

see 4 reviews

Cognac age
Napoléon
Growth area
Petite Champagne
Bottle size
700ml
ABV
40%

Rodger R.

Reviews written: 13 (see reviews)

Average Score given: 68

Review Overview: Best & Most rated, All Reviewers & Reviews

Share this Review
URL copied to the clipboard

A lighter approach to Fine Champagne

48 /100

I tried this Cognac a night ago and decided to wait to write an evaluation. The nose I definitely the strongest suite of this offering from Courvoisier, and reminds me of a fine summer day with aromas of blossoms and to my senses, ripe dark plums. The palate was round and flavorful, but somewhat indistinct as to the flavors noted. Slightly sweet, and somewhat spicy. The finish was pleasant and not at all harsh, with the cinnamon and nutmeg coming through with a slight oaky tone. I rated it lower than usual on basis of the cost for value received. I have enjoyed both Daniel Boujou VSOP and Remy Martin XO more by way of comparison, but that's in line with my personal tastes and not a knock on this particular offering. Overall a Cognac that I would be proud to serve to a guest in my home. More a matter of personal taste at this level of Cognac.

Value for Money 2/5

Overpriced Low Average Bargain Steal

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.

14/25

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?

8/20

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?

9/25

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?

11/20

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?

6/10

Total: 48/100

  • 80-84: Recommended
  • 85-89: Highly Recommended
  • 90-95: Exceptional
  • 96-100: Superlative
Flat Acceptable Fine Excellent Ethereal Thin & weak Disjointed Balanced Exquisite Bland Ordinary Good Excellent Spectacular Non-existent, or rough Acceptable Good Memorable Endless Uninspiring, or rough Ordinary Good Excellent Memorable
Product added to wishlist
Product added to compare.
To give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies and by continuing to use the site you agree that we can save them.  Our Privacy Policy
You have successfully followed this brand