Cognac Dudognon

Cognac Region

"These cognacs can hold their own against those of the great houses but have preserved a closeness to their origins, their goût de terroir."

--Axel and Bibiana Behrendt's Guide to Cognac

Cognac Dudognon Label The Dudognon family has produced cognac in the small town of Lignières Sonneville since 1776. This region is the heart of the famed Grande Champagne of Cognac, whose soil is largely composed of Campanian chalk. Spirits from this premier cru are especially renowned for their tremendous length. Since the Second World War, Raymond Dudognon has raised the domaine's reputation to new levels with his close attention to detail and minimal intervention of his spirits.

Raymond Dudognon

The Dudognons are staunch traditionalists who distill only the Ugni Blanc grown on their properties. Their two alambics distill roughly 450-500 hl a.p. per year (200 barrels). The family frequently sell their young spirits to well-known négociants.

The still at Maison Dudognon

The eau de vie from what they consider to be their finest parcels, however, is kept at the property and aged in their small, rustic chai. These cognacs originate from soils that are organically farmed. The decisions during distillation are done with the glass in hand rather than with scientific instruments. The wood for their barrels is air-dried for five years next to the chai.

Claudine Dudognon-Buraud

While many cognacs are laden with permitted additives (sugar, boisé;, caramel), the only additive used in Dudognon cognacs is water. Because of this, their color is fairly light, their sweetness comes from only naturally concentrated fruit, while their length, like the finest spirits from the Grand Champagne, is counted in minutes. Today, Raymond is semi-retired, yet his daughter Claudine learns from her father in the same way that he learned from his father. She continues to elevate Dudognon's cognacs to new heights, frequently winning prizes and gathering tremendous international press.

Gerald Buraud

Réserve (10 Years Old)

Pleasing aromatics include notes of apple, toffee and spice. Soft texture, with additional notes of vanilla on the palate. Delightful entry-level Grande Champagne!

Vieille Reserve (20 years old)

Fine rancio note on the nose, along with hints of honey, coffee, and spice. Soft and sweet in the mouth, and with excellent length.

Superb (90-95 points), Highly Recommended

--The Wine Enthusiast, August 2001

Réserve des Ancestres (30 years old)

"...possesses the quality that I've come to view as this distiller's trademark aroma, a bisquity / cakey fragrance that invites the olfactory sense on a delightful journey of discovery...this aroma develops into a full-throttle bouquet as well-defined notes of vanilla, paraffin, and ripe grapes fill the nasal cavity. On the palate, shows a level of mature, oaky depth not detected in the younger Dudognon cognacs. The aftertaste is intensely fruity and sweet, simply gorgeous; a serene, sophisticated Grand Champagne that's a pleasure to have in the mouth."

--Spirit Journal

Superb (90-95 points), Highly Recommended

--The Wine Enthusiast, August 2001

Heritage (40 years old)

Lovely rancio on the nose with a mashed almond nuance. Viscous and honeyed, with additional notes of creme brulée. Concentrated sweetness with a hint of toasted coconut on the extremely long finish. Awesome!

"Its deep color is an invitiation to its pleasure. Everything is sensuous about this magnificent cognac which is exceptionally balanced and complex: chocolatey nose, rich mouthfeel, and creamy and persistent length. *****"

--La Revue du Vin de France, May 2001

Medaille d'Or (a blend of the 1946 and 1947 distillations)

Deep amber with gold highlights. Substantial fruit (preserved orange, apricot) balanced by notes of advanced rancio (walnut). Retains plenty of attack, and finishes with outstanding length that recurs in flavor-drenched waves.

"Splendid amber color. This bottle gained the admiration of the entire jury with its tremendous nose of linden, buttered toffee and spice. Aristocratic eau de vie, lively, and showing all the race and class of a true Grand Champagne. In the mouth, it's rich, deep and borders on being perfect."

--Revue du Vin de France

Gerald Buraud and Claudine Dudognon-Buraud take their positions
in front of the still. The more common life of a distiller.

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