Nose: I have a secret fondness for grape flavored nerds. Thing is, I rarely like artificial grape flavor, though I don’t begrudge its existence. It’s just that until ocean spray and snapple burst onto the scene, choices were topps apple juice or welch’s grape juice. And unlike many who look back on those two foundation beverages with fondness, I felt constrained. Which has made getting into typical day to day cognac a bit harder for me. There is often a welch’s grape juice vibe sitting in its DNA. This nose just beautifully encapsulates that ideal of grape-iness. It’s gentle and refined, warm and sweet. With some rest, more character arrives. a touch of grape leaves and grapeseed oil. Unripe kiwi fruit. And a touch of spice. Some type of fragrant flower I’m struggling to pin down. For people looking for elegant and subtle, this nose is worth enjoying.

Palate: An unexpected turn for the tart, vegetal side. I was ready to be bored and I most certainly am not. Black tea. Bok choy with sea salt and vinegar. Dolma, rice and hints of lamb stuffed in grape leaves. Sandalwood. Fresh raw almonds straight from the fruit. As a kid I loved unripe tart fruit. I remember climbing into the plum trees of my grandparents place, and hearing my grandmother yell that if I ate all of them, I’d have the shits for days. Guess she knew what she was talking about. Moderation!!

Rating: 5 / 10 – This is fun and interesting, but I would not reach for it again. I need to find out from sascha what miluisimes this was.