The brandy in the bottle is a Marc de Bourgogne. For readers who are not familiar with the name it is a pomace brandy made from the leftovers of wine making process and distilled and aged in Burgundy. Marc is a lesser known pomace brandy variety compared to its Italian cousin grappa and it actually rarely finds its way out of France. This particular one is made from waste of Pinot Noir grapes and aged for 7 years in French oak barrels. I also learned from Serge Valentin of Whisky Fun fame that the tiny note on the label which says "Extra Egrappé" means that only pressed berries are used for the mash not the stems and stalks.
Color: Light amber, orange blossom honey with thick legs around the glass.
Nose: Damp black garden soil, very old Fino sherry and overripe table grapes. Prunes, sweet soot and chalk. Freshly painted walls, latex paint, wet clay and apple cider. Dusty, sour and dirty... I could nose this forever...
Palate: Grape leaves in brine, dirt and toasted oak staves. Bitter greens, dandelion leaves and wet sand. Wild mushrooms, aged emmental cheese and spearmint leaves. Grape seeds, fresh thyme, rosemary and lambic beer. Stunning palate...
Finish: Long... With dry soil, dried fruits and mint.
Overall: I really cannot wipe the smile off my face now... Such an unpleasantly pleasant experience. From nose to finish your brain is suggesting images of aromas and notes you would normally find repulsive but in this case you end up simply enjoying them all and ask for even more. Hard to stop nosing and sipping... This is a beautiful brandy. I always loved Marcs and tried to convince people how good they can be but this bottle is the proof I was actually looking for. Every sip reminded me my Dijon and Burgundy trip back in 2011 where I first discovered Marc de Bourgogne. Highly recommended... A must try...
Price: $90 (1 liter bottle)
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