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L'ESSENTIEL A12 Conte et Filles

Highly Recommended 85 /100

see 9 reviews

Tony M.

Reviews written: 73 (see reviews)

Average Score given: 90

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

Bio:

I have a passion and love for all spirits, but particularly world brandy and world whisk(e)y. The great people at Cognac-Expert have greatly increased my exposure to not only more Cognac, but smaller producers who are doing phenomenal things!! Love you all!! Cheers!! CERTIFICATIONS Certified Specialist of Spirits, Society of Wine Educators, 2017 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS The American Wine Society National Conference, 2019 PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Member, American Wine Society Judge, Denver International Spirits Competition, 2019 Judge, North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition, 2018, 2020, 2021 Judge, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Spirits, Table Captain, 2017, 2020, 2021 Judge, San Diego International Spirits Competition, Table Captain, 2020, 2021

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Lovely fruit forward Cognac!!!

Recommended 84 /100

If many of you have read my reviews, you can quickly see that I tend to stick to mainly the Cognac, and not much small talk, but I'm going to add some comments to the end of this one.

Young, crisp fruit greets the nose in the form of green apples and pear, almost reminding me of a young Calvados. After several minutes, as it opens, subtle plum appears, and the nose becomes a lovely fruit bowl. No sign of oak or spices with this one, as it’s all about the fruits! The palate starts fruity sweet, before quickly turning dry and acidic in a finish that is average in length, and with just a sign of spice. This is well balanced for its intended age!!

This Cognac is why you shouldn't necessarily look for only highly rated Cognacs, or spirits in general. This Cognac was not intended to age extensively, and they nailed their intentions perfectly. Some may see an 84 as being average, or perhaps not worth seeking out. That is not always the case, and in this example, a score doesn't always tell the full picture.

This Cognac is also why I love Brandy in general! As a seasonal drinker, this is a Cognac that I would gladly sip on the deck in the warmer months, and save those really older, bigger brandies for the winter.

Tags

  • Apple
  • Pear
  • Plum

Flavour

Wood 1/10

Spice 1/10

Fruit 10/10

Flower 1/10

Bottle / Package Design 4/5

Where is the Love? Ordinary Nice Beautiful A sight to be seen!

Value for Money 4/5

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.

22/25

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?

18/20

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

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?

16/20

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?

7/10

Total: 84/100

  • 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
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