On the 18th day of our Cognac-Expert Advent Calendar, we found a Marancheville GC30 Cognac. In the early 2000s, brothers-in-law Grégoire Lucas and Laurent Nedelec moved their families to Cognac to work in the family distillery. It didn’t take long for them to become deeply passionate about the industry. While the distillery’s primary focus remains producing eaux-de-vie for some of the biggest names in Cognac, in 2012, they decided to launch their own small range of cognacs under their own label — thus, Marancheville Cognac was born.
Drawing on decades of family experience and a strong network of Cognac professionals, Laurent and Grégoire sought advice and expertise to help create the brand and its cognacs. Though distillation for major houses remains their core business, these cognac merchants and winegrowers dedicate significant time, effort, and skill to developing their own range.
Marancheville GC30 Cognac Review
The Marancheville GC30 is a 30-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac, crafted primarily from Ugni Blanc grapes. Distilled on the lees in Marancheville’s 25-hectolitre still, it spent three decades maturing before being bottled at 44.5% ABV with no additives. Priced at approximately €130. Additionally, there exists another 30-year-old XO Grande Champagne, packaged in a unique carafe-style bottle, although whether or not only its lower ABV level of 40% accounts for price difference is unknown.
Colour:
Brown sherry with a copper hue.
Nose:
Neat: Aromas of prune and rancio dominate, accompanied by a sharpness that suggests a higher ABV. Notes of orange peel, Jaffa cake, aged leather, and lemon zest emerge, with subtle hints of pepper and refreshing mint.
Palate:
Neat: A bold and fruity entrance featuring stewed fruits like apple, orange, quince, prune, and grapes, complemented by hazelnuts and walnuts. The palate showcases a lovely rancio, layered with warming spices, a touch of lemon juice, and a refreshing hint of menthol.
Finish:
A warmth that lingers in the mouth and throat, with Jaffa cakes and a delicate woody bitterness. Notes of menthol and lemon as well, for a long finish.
Comments:
This Marancheville GC30 Cognac is a great example of why bottling at a higher ABV, rather than reducing to the minimum 40%, makes such a difference. It’s expressive, with excellent intensity on both the nose and palate. The mouthfeel is spot-on, the flavours are rich and well balanced, and overall, it’s a very impressive cognac at a good price.
