Cognac XO

The Five Stones XO Cognac is a witness to another world. When the youngest eau-de-vie in this cognac was distilled, the Cold War was still making headlines. It is a unique Cognac which has aged alongside a growing friendship between the founder of Five Stones Vineyard, Ilan Hasson, and Herve Bache-Gabrielsen, whom as a member of the 4th generation took over his family’s Cognac house in 2009.

The Cognac mostly stems from a small enclave in the Fins Bois terroir by the by the Gironde Estuary, where soils are very similar to those of the Medoc terroir of Bordeaux, on the western bank of the river. This Cognac is a blend of Fins Bois and Petite Champagne eaux-de-vie aged 30 years in small casks, under seal. Old Fin Bois cognacs are seldom found in the region as they are delicate to age after a few decades. But when the aging is successful, the Fins Bois terroir delivers exceptional warmth and roundness on the palate, with notes of dried, even candied fruits and rich, smooth flavors that linger on the palate.

A touch of Petite Champagne brings the intensity and power that allows for a balanced and harmonious blend. Aged mostly in dry cellars to try and preserve the alcohol percentage, it was placed in a humid cellar in the heart of Cognac for the last seven years of its aging. This XO is a Kosher Cognac, which makes it very unique and very rare.

Le’Haim. Sante. Cheers.

Jean Phillippe Bergier

CELLER MASTER