Where Carte d'Argent speaks in silver and calm, Carte Noire speaks darker and deeper. The bottle carrying the black mark was created at the end of the nineteenth century as Renault's answer to how complex an old Cognac can become when the years are truly allowed to work.
Expert's Description
Renault XO Carte Noire Extra Old French Cognac is an XO Cognac from the house of Renault, bottled at 40%.
Carte Noire, the black mark, is one of Renault's oldest and best-known bottles, developed as far back as the end of the nineteenth century, when the house was firmly establishing itself as an innovator in the Cognac trade. Where Carte d'Argent represents the house's classic XO style, Carte Noire pushes a step further into complexity and depth.
The house itself was founded in 1835 by Jean-Antonin Renault in the town of Cognac and was known early on for breaking with tradition, bottling in glass and exporting to Scandinavia as early as 1855.
The Extra Old designation underlines that age is the whole point here: long years in oak have given it a layered character that shows through in both aroma and palate, without ever turning sharp or rough.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Deep and layered, with dried apricot, old leather binding and a trace of smoked oak.
Palate
Complex and full, with layers of dried herbs, dark caramel and a hint of tobacco that unfolds slowly.
Finish
Long and drying toward the end, with a final wave of spiced wood and a touch of dark chocolate.
Specifications
Name: Renault XO Carte Noire Extra Old French Cognac
Distillery: Renault
Country: France
Type: French XO Cognac
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 6412703100040
Serving suggestion: Best in a tulip-shaped Cognac glass at room temperature, ideally with time to let the complexity unfold.
Flavour Profile
Dried Apricot · Dried Herbs · Dark Caramel · Tobacco
Did You Know?
Did you know the Carte Noire bottle was developed by Renault as far back as the end of the nineteenth century, making it one of the house's oldest labels still in production?
