Chateau Montifaud 2004 Petite Champagne Cognac 700ml
Château Montifaud was established in 1837 by Augustin Vallet and remains a family-run estate more than six generations later, now guided by Laurent and Elodie Vallet. Unlike houses that purchase eaux-de-vie from outside growers, the Vallet family farms its own vineyards across roughly 130 hectares in Grande and Petite Champagne, overseeing every stage from grape to bottle with a focus on the Petite Champagne cru in particular.
This 2004 vintage was set aside as part of Montifaud's Millésime collection, which highlights only exceptional harvest years, and was later released to mark the twentieth anniversary of Laurent and Elodie's union at the helm of the estate. Just 700 bottles were produced. The white wine base is distilled slowly and on the lees, then aged for two decades in old Limousin oak barrels, a patient approach that builds roundness while preserving the cognac's floral character.
The result pours a brilliant golden hue and opens with dried flowers, candied apricot, and a touch of licorice on the nose. The palate is round and velvety, layering floral honey and warm spice with a gentle rancio that lengthens the finish. It pairs beautifully with dried fruit or dark chocolate.