For over three centuries, the House of Martell has been renowned for the delicate, refined style of its cognacs. True to its spirit of curiosity, the House of Martell is further exploring the ageing dimension of its savoir-faire with the launch of an outstanding new cognac: Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels.
Like all Martell cognacs, Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels is matured exclusively in casks of fine-grained oak from France’s ancient TronÇais forest. Typically crafted from wood between 180 and 200 years old, these casks are characterized by finer, less pronounced tannins, which respect the delicacy of Martell’s clear wines. As a consequence, the aromas that develop are more subtle, more generous and more refined.
Uniquely, however, for Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels, the Martell Cellar Master selected oak casks already used to age eaux-de-vie, where the influence of tannins is even less pronounced. These precious barrels have reached the perfect stage of maturation for both the oak and the eaux-de-vie, thus allowing for an ideally balanced exchange between the two. Not only are they able to fully express their natural fruit aromas, but these blend harmoniously with subtle woody overtones from the red barrels of fine-grained oak, resulting in an exceptionally rich and refined cognac that is an authentic expression of the Martell style.
Already, to the eye, the colour of Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels - a warm copper with glints of gold - marks it out as a particularly intriguing cognac. On the nose, the impression is one of fullness and freshness, characterized by intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit - mirabelle plum, greengage, apricot and vine peach. On the palate, these luscious fruit notes fuse deliciously with hints of wood and soft spices, as the harmony between the eaux-de-vie and the precious red barrels in which they were aged is reflected in the perfect balance of delicacy and aromatic power of this exceptional cognac.
