Cognac, Grande Fine Champagne Impériale 1811 (1 BT)

Cognac, Grande Fine Champagne Impériale 1811

u. 7cm, label soiled and slightly damaged top left, edges of label and bottle generally encrusted with dirt, intact "N" and crown glass seal on shoulder, slightly damaged wax capsule, no detail visible under the crust, handblown bottle, believed late 19th century; Etiquette salie et légèrement endommagée en haut à gauche, bords de l'étiquette et de la bouteille généralement incrustés de saleté, sceau en verre "N" et couronne intacts sur l'épaule, capsule de cire légèrement endommagée, aucun détail visible sous la croûte, bouteille soufflée à la main, probablement fin du 19ème siècle

1 bt (cn)

Rare Napoleon Fine Champagne 1811. All these bottles were carefully authenticated. The property of a passionate Spirits Collector. 1811 was a legendary year for winemaking in Western Europe. After a succession of poor vintages in the opening years of the century, perfect growing conditions provided by a long hot summer and warm dry autumn produced a spectacular harvest and reputedly the best vintage of the 19th century. The almost mythical status of the 1811 vintage was cemented by the appearance of ‘The Great Comet’. Comets have long been associated with excellent vintages; for centuries winemakers ascribed perfect conditions to their appearance in the skies. ‘Comet Vintages’ of wine and the cognacs made from them have long been held in high esteem, none more so than that of 1811.

Furthermore, in 1811 Napoleon visited the town of Cognac, where he was presented with a barrel of the spirit for his newborn son, who would go on to become Napoleon II. Many cognac’s made from the 1811 vintage were labelled as ‘Napoleon Cognac’ when they were bottled, often decades later, signifying their legendary status.

LYING AT HILLEBRAND BEAUNE, Offered Duty Paid