The chalky soil of Grande Champagne produces grapes that ripen slowly and keep an acidity the rest of the Cognac region rarely matches. It is this soil, and nothing else, that underpins Pierre Ferrand Ambre.
Expert's Description
Pierre Ferrand Ambre 1er Cru de Cognac is a Cognac from Grande Champagne, bottled at 40%.
The cognac is distilled exclusively from grapes grown in Grande Champagne, the smallest and chalkiest of Cognac's six districts, and therefore carries the 1er Cru de Cognac designation. Ferrand uses both Ugni Blanc and Colombard in the blend, a combination that adds complexity and a floral character not always found in more standardised cognacs.
The style reaches back toward the character older Premier Cru cognacs once had, when pear and plum notes were more prominent, before modern blending techniques made profiles more uniform across houses.
The cognac has rested in casks of Quercus Sessiliflora, an oak species known for imparting vanilla and a deep, golden colour, which explains the name Ambre.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The aroma offers ripe pear and plum, supported by floral tones and a light sweetness of vanilla from the cask.
Palate
The palate follows the nose closely, with juicy pear and plum, while the vanilla adds round, sweet edges to the whole.
Finish
The finish is soft and lingering, where the fruit slowly gives way to a warm, vanilla-tinged aftertaste.
Specifications
Name: Pierre Ferrand Ambre 1er Cru de Cognac
Distillery: Pierre Ferrand, Château de Bonbonnet, Grande Champagne
Country: France
Type: French Cognac
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Quercus Sessiliflora oak casks
EAN no.: 3460410505071
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed at room temperature in a cognac glass, ideally neat
Flavour Profile
Pear · Plum · Vanilla · Floral
Did You Know?
Quercus Sessiliflora, also known as sessile oak, is one of only two oak species traditionally used for Cognac casks, and its tight grain gives a different, gentler tannin than the more common Quercus Robur.
