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Maison Martell offers exceptional 72 Years Grande Champagne Cognac at Christie’s sale
By Tessa Crowley | 4 December 2024 | Design, Food & Drink
Offered in a unique handcrafted Baccarat decanter, the prestigious one-of-a-kind cognac comes with a captivating and exclusive experience at Maison Martell in Cognac
With Christie’s Fine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online sale culminating this Friday 6 December, fine wine and rare spirits enthusiasts wishing to invest will have their eyes firmly fixed on the auction — the last of 2024 from Christie’s Wine. A historic spirits connoisseur’s dream, lots encompass three centuries of Cognac, 19th-century Armagnac, Rum and Calvados, and a unique collection of Madeira reaching back to 1715. An offering of Bordeaux, Port and Rhône wines from a historic Cambridge College is also featured, along with Vintage Port from the cellars of Raby Castle.
Our pick? The elegant Martell 72 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac, offered in a unique handcrafted Baccarat decanter. Born from a single eau-de-vie from a single cru of the prestigious Grande Champagne terroir, this cognac has spent over seven decades in Martell cellars and is one of Maison Martell’s oldest Cognacs, selected from its vast collection of over 10,000 eau-de-vie.
Stored in historic cellars at the Port du Lys, this exceptional eau-de-vie subsequently spent time in two other cellars before being transferred to the legendary Jean Martell cellar, reserved for the Maison’s oldest and rarest eau-de-vie. It has spent 72 years in Martell cellars, including three decades in dame-jeannes.
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With a floral nose, punctuated by aromas of acacia honey and orange blossom, the palate offers fresh tobacco, tart citrus and white cedar. It has an aromatic richness, fullness and balance – all defining characteristics of Grande Champagne and of a perfectly managed ageing process.
The elegant decanter took sixteen Baccarat artisans six days to complete. Encased in an hand-crafted wooden box, the bottle features motifs of intertwined vine leaves and shoots in gold and enamel, while the crystal stopper bears the Martell coat of arms. Christophe Valtaud, Martell’s Cellar Master, notes: “This collaboration with Christie’s and Baccarat once again illustrates Maison Martell’s capacity to elevate cognac to a luxury product that responds to the needs of a demanding clientele of collectors and connoisseurs.”
Completing the lot, the successful buyer will also enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic experience at Maison Martell in Cognac, including a tasting masterclass with Martell Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud; dinner co-created with Michelin three-star chef Alexandre Mazzia; and one-night stay at the enchanting Château de Chanteloup, the historic home of the Martell family.