Vieux Pineau Rosé "95 Heritage" — Spirits from the Source Selection

Lot: T16
Age: 1995 "Very Old"
ABV: 18.6%
Composition: 75% Grape Must (Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon),  25% Cognac (95% Ugni Blanc, 5% Colombard)
Cellar: Chai Pressoir

We continue our Pineau des Charentes exploration with a wonderful, rare 30-year-old barrel-aged *rosé* Pineau. It's not rosé in the sense of pink wine, but denotes a Pineau des Charentes made with red grapes, in this case Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. As with all the other Pineaux you've tasted, the grape must's fermentation has been stopped by the addition of young Cognac from the estate, and then the whole blend was aged in oak casks until bottling in September 2026.

TASTING NOTES:

A floral and high-toned nose leads into a robust palate. Cherries, fresh berries along with a nice acidity start on first sip, fruit slowly recedes on the long, graceful and persistent finish.

This is deeply aromatic, beautifully balanced, and remarkably elegant, with concentrated dark fruit on the palate offset by just enough tartness to keep everything lively. A standout Pineau des Charentes.

A perfect pairing with desserts or sipping neat on its own at apéritif (or as a lighter digestif after a meal).