Paul Beau VSOP Cognac

N:  Richer and considerably more complex than expected.  Brown sugar, fig, plum, baked apples, red grapes, cooked pear, some sandalwood, hay, fresh cut flowers... you get the idea:  there's a lot going on here.  Some really winey aromas, similar to aged Burgundy or Amontillado (almonds, melting butter etc) emerge as it aerates.

P:  The richness of flavour is there, but with a lightness of touch in the mouthfeel ie not as heavy as one might expect from the nose (this is not a bad thing, merely an observation).  Delicious sweet  candied notes mingle with toffee apples and honeysuckle mid-palate.  Really well-defined flavours again on a medium-full palate demonstrating a remarkable elegance and delicacy.

F:  A  crescendo of sweet fruit flavour, then a gradual glissando into slow-fading honey and spice.  Good length.  Mouth-watering.

C:  I would be shocked if there wasn't a large proportion of cognacs much older than VSOP in this cuvee - but with the perfect balance of younger spirit to keep it fresh and lively.  The delicate balance of flavour and finesse is extraordinary at this level.  Clearly the work of a blender at the very top of his game.