Martell unveils Single Cru collection

Cognac brand Martell has launched its Single Cru collection, which features liquid crafted with eaux-de-vie sourced from a single terroir.

The collection is divided into three editions – Discovery, Aged and Vintage – and marks the first time Martell has undertaken such a concept. “From the very beginning, the ethos of Maison Martell has been to express the best of the Cognac terroir,” said Christophe Valtaud, Martell’s cellar master. “With Martell Single Cru, a rare and prestigious collection, which represents less than 1% of Martell cognacs, my aim was to reveal the richness and diversity of the very finest crus. “My hope is that this aromatic exploration of the Cognac region will speak to adventurous Cognac drinkers, opening their minds and palates to new tastes, and enabling them to build their own personal collection; one which reflects their preferences and the pleasure of discovery.” The collection is designed to showcase the 'distinctive taste and unique personality' of individual regions. The Discovery Edition is made up of three bottles with each utilising eaux-de-vie from a different terroir; Fins Bois, Petite Champagne, and Borderies. Fins Bois is said to possess a 'lush and juicy' fruit palate, Petite Champagne is 'intense and spicy, bursting with warm spices and rich nuts' and Borderies brings 'sweet fruit and subtle' floral notes. Next, The Aged Edition consists of two bottles: XO Grande Champagne and XXO Borderies. The XO statement Grande Champagne is said to have overtones of wood with notes of dried fruit, while the XXO statement Borderies is said to demonstrate richness and fruity notes. Martell will add to the Aged Edition every year and release it in small batches, in individually numbered bottles. Lastly, the Vintage Edition is a Cognac produced in 1999 where Valtaud used Borderies eaux-de-vie from the Gallienne estate, one of the Martell family vineyards. Martell said 1999 was a challenging year climate-wise but this increased the quality and rarity of the grapes. In 2000, the eaux-de-vie was moved to fine-grained oak barrels and aged for 23 years. The expression has notes of candied fruit and linden blossom, with a palate described as having 'extraordinary smoothness, with a rich, fruity dimension’. The Vintage Edition will evolve and update annually, always from a single eaux-de-vie, sourced from a single terroir, in a single year. The Discovery Edition and Aged Edition XO are available to purchase now, with the other Cognacs following suit later in the year, at selected retail stores in Mainland China, Asia and the Martell boutique in Cognac. Martell has also recently revealed the first bottling in its new Réserve du Château collection: L’Or de Jean Martell – Réserve du Château de Chanteloup, an annual release that sees the brand partner with a different French château each year.