16.04.2021 - 1 min

Dames-Jeannes of absolute rarity​

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    For the first time in 300 years of history, Maison Martell offers an exceptional collection of eaux-de-vie of absolute rarityeach encased in a Dame-Jeanne of unqualified beauty.

    Maison Martell possesses an extraordinary library of eaux-de vie, many of which are decades old, the precious legacy passed down from cellar master to cellar master. 

    Selecting and blending the House’s eaux-de-vie is the preserve of the cellar master of the day, Christophe Valtaud, a tradition that maintains the unique style of Martell cognacs. 


    Nowwith unprecedented audacity, Christophe Valtaud has made a selection of pure eaux-de-vie from outstanding vintages. Each is presented in a Dame-Jeanne of unparalleled craftsmanshipcreated at Maison Martell’s craftwork ateliers.

    Pictures by Anne De Vandière

    Pictures by Anne De Vandière

    When an eau-de-vie reaches maturityits aromatic qualities fully developed, the cellar master preserves its profile by transferring it from the fine grained oak barrel into a special 11-litre bottle called a Dame-Jeanne.

    Hereprotected from air, the eau-de-vie can be stored for decadesbecoming increasingly rare and precious with every passing year

    It is usual for such eaux-de-vie to be one day included in one of Martell’s most prestigious blends.

    Yet once in a generation, or nine generations in the case of Maison Martell, the opportunity manifests to create a collection that is utterly unique. 

    Among the collection, a 1951 eau-de-vie from Grande Champagne so rare that only a single Dame-Jeanne is on offer

    For true connoisseursthis represents an extraordinary tasting experiencewith notes of citrus fruit and white flowers, a wonderful balance of power and freshness, and exceptional length on the palate

    Pictures by Anne De Vandière

    Pictures by Anne De Vandière

    The collection is completed by three examples from the 1958 millesime from Grande Champagne, four of the 1971 Fins Bois millesime, and three Fins Bois and Grande Champagne blends from 1973.

    As per tradition, the Dames-Jeannes are encased in a wicker basket, both components as singular as the eaux-de vie they containEach comes with a special pipette, the tool used to extract a small quantity of eau-de-vie from the barrel for tasting

     

    These one-off pieces are created by three master craftspeopleworking from the Ateliers du Faire at the Fondation d’Entreprise Martell

    In an outstanding demonstration of their trade, the glassblowerwoodworker and basketmaker use precise and perfectly controlled techniques handed down through generationswith an uncompromising attention to detail

    The Dame-Jeanne collection was released in December 2020. Each Dame-Jeanne will be individually made to order – a precious testament to the excellence represented by Maison Martell

     

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