Duluc Lot 84

Description

It was after the phylloxera crisis in 1884 that the Duluc family acquired a property in Touzac, in the heart of the Grande Champagne region. In 1978, brothers Pierre and Daniel took over the 40-hectare Ugni Blanc vineyard planted on clay-limestone soils. In July 2013, Guillaume Duluc joined them. He focused on environmental preservation, notably by collecting and using rainwater to irrigate the plantations, wash equipment, and even cool the stills during distillation, making Duluc one of the region’s pioneering producers in sustainable development. This Lot 84 Grande Champagne Cognac aged in oak barrel from 84 until only now, when it will be bottled immediately following the end of the presale.

Why the jeep on the front label? Well, this is one of Guillame’s current means of getting around. In fact, when visiting the domaine recently during this year’s harvest, we traveled from one parcel of vines to another in this exact vehicule, a jeep made in 1943 and which was active during WWII. Needless to say, there was no debate as to what was going on this front label. 

For this sixth edition, the amateur jury consisted of David Currin, Benjamin Heinzelmann, and Marco Pascarella.

This Lot 84 Grande Champagne Cognac from Duluc was agreed upon by the jury for its complexity, near perfect alcohol integration, and rounded nature. It was also praised for its Grande Champagne fruit profile, spiciness, and oily mouth-coating texture. David was first to pick up on: “red fruit, berry, and pineapple,” noting also an interesting smokiness which revealed itself behind the waves of fruit. Benjamin appreciated the gummy bear, raspberry jam, dried mango and cinnamon notes. He could feel the Grande Champagne identity and commented on the texture saying, “Wow, oily, wow.” Marco was particularly impressed by the Cognac’s “very well-integrated alcohol” and commented several times on how “very rounded” this Cognac is. The gift kept on giving too as he observed, “the more it stays in the glass the better it keeps going.”

All three tasters agreed on its complexity, well-integrated alcohol, and rounded nature. It’s a mature Cognac showing signature Grande Champagne notes and more: fruits, spiciness, and an oily texture that only a cask strength Cognac can give.

Grape: 100% Ugni Blanc
Age: 41 years old
ABV: 43.1% – natural color, no additives (sugar, color), no chill-filtration
Bottle size: 700ml

Tasting Note

Nose: fruity: red berry, pineapple; caramel, floral and with a slight grain influence, spices, gummy bears, Grande Champagne identity
Mouth: extremely complex, well-integrated alcohol, very rounded, oily texture, prominent spiciness, comfortable alcohol level, dried mango and other red fruits
Finish: medium to long, finishes on spices and typical Grande Champagne fruit profile

Important note for the USA:

Due to recent changes, our US transport partner now ships via FedEx. The product price includes the 15% tariff and clearance fee; parcels arrive fully cleared with all taxes paid (DDP). Shipping is optimized for 3, 6, or 12 bottles, with degressive rates applied at checkout:

• 1–3 bottles: €79 (€26 euros per bottle for 3 bottles shipped)
• 4–6 bottles: €89  (€15 euros per bottle for 6 bottles shipped)
• 7–12 bottles: €159  (€13 euros per bottle for 12 bottles shipped)

Please note: Amateur Spirit is a pre-buy bottling. The period of sale is open for 10 days, then closed. There is a maximum amount of bottles possible (what’s left in the barrel). Once the 10 days are over (maybe less if all the bottles are sold), the bottling starts at the domaine, the labels will be printed, the bottles will be labeled, and then shipped from France.