Introduction to Frapin

Frapin is located in the centre of the Grande Champagne Premier Cru du Cognac region in the sleepy little town of Segonzac, the finest designated region in Cognac. It is the only merchant located in the town and only sells Cognacs produced from grapes sourced from its own 778 acre estate in the heart of the Grande Champagne region. 

The Frapin family have been winegrowers since 1270 and mostly sold their Cognacs to Remy Martin, Hennessy, Courvoisier and other houses until the 1980's. Since 1984, when the Cointreau family took over what was then a forgotten brand, it has been selling increasing quantities of brandies. These brandies have been kept in new wood for longer than their competitors, so confident are they with the quality of it's brandies , the size of its stocks represent 18 years of sales (an amount of 2 to 3 times the quantity of the stocks held by its competitors). 

Frapin keeps its best cognacs in new oak for up to 2 and a half years, depending on the amount of colour (and therefore tannin) the spirit has absorbed.

Tasting Notes

An expression of age-old know-how, the 1995 vintage is the last to join Frapin’s collection of rare cognacs. A rich aromatic palette and intense finish on the palate gives it the particular aura of exceptional cognacs, the quintessential expression of the Frapin style. That year, in the heart of the Grande Champagne, the vineyards exuded abundance. On the hillsides of the Château Fontpinot, harvest occurred at a perfect time when grapes had a high level of acidity and low levels of alcohol. These are essential conditions to ensure the concentration of aromas before the heating time. Distilled over lees and aged in sealed barrels in the dry cellar “Marie frapin” of the family estate’s, this vintage XO gave it’s angels’ share over 25 years. This slow evaporation process enabled to carve its aromatic complexity and superb elegance.

Limited edition of 3000 bottles.

COLOUR: Flatters the eye, brilliant and silky, lit by orange hews.

BOUQUET: This vintage opens delicately with an arpeggio of delicious notes: a zest of citrus fruits, the brightness of a tangerine. Then unfolds towards spicy fragrances of dried peach and gingerbread. A loose bouquet, a subtle symphony.

PALATE: The 1995 vintage - 25 years old gives pride of place to the aromas of the orchard, fruit in full bloom which evolve on the palate towards fine vanilla and then delicately spicy notes. The warm nutmeg flavour balances the roundness of warm dried apricot. The finesse and balance go hand in hand until the lingering final note of rancio, long and characteristic of skilfully aged old cognacs.

AWARDS:

• Cognac Master - Best Vintage 2022 (UK).

• Gilbert & Gaillard - 96/100 2022 (FR).

• Cognac Masters - Best Cognac of the year 2020 (UK).

• Gilbert & Gaillard - 94/100 2020 (FR).