Hine Millésime 1989 Cognac

Late Summer Sunshine in a Glass: Hine Millésime 1989 

This single vintage release represents the 1989 premier cru of Grande Champagne, the warmest year of the decade. Hine Millésime 1989 Cognac has been distilled on the lees for a more complex flavor with a long finish and aged in fine-grained, lightly toasted French oak. Hine Cognac still use their centuries-old high humidity cellars located on the banks of the River Charente, to better facilitate the development of mellow, rounded eaux-de-vie.

The history of Hine Cognac starts in the late 18th Century, when 16-year-old Thomas Hine left his home in Dorset and headed for France to learn the art of making eau-de-vie. After years of travelling and working across the wine-growing regions of Bordeaux and Cognac, he eventually settled in Jarnac.  While working as a general clerk in a Cognac house, he quickly formed a relationship with the owner’s daughter, Françoise-Elisabeth, and soon they were married. Now in a senior position, Thomas continued his work, using his skills in finance and trade to develop the family business beyond the local area. He renamed the company Thomas Hine & Co. in 1817, and six generations later it still stands in the same place by the Charente. 

Drawing its identity from the heart of Cognac, Hine focus only on the Grande and Petite Champagne growing areas. Across 115 hectares of land by the village of Bonneuil, their vines of Ugni Blanc grapes cover a chalky, limestone-studded landscape. Even more so than the fields, the ancient cellars underneath the grand Maison Hine have seen little change in over two centuries. These vaults still remain locked to protect the finest vintages, chosen by Bernard Hine for his family’s single vintage expressions. With the tradition of vintages almost extinct in Cognac today, Bernard considers himself a guardian of these rare casks, appreciating the individual nuances that each year’s growing season brings. 

Presentation of the Bottle

The Hine Millésime 1989 Cognac is presented in a sleek, tall bottle with the Hine medallion stamped on the neck. The elegant box features the vintage prominently displayed on the front.

How to Enjoy Hine Millésime 1989 Cognac

To fully appreciate the individuality of this vintage, we suggest enjoying it neat in a tulip glass - after letting it rest for 30 seconds to develop fully. A dash of water may be added to allow the aromas to open up further.