Charles Collet Vieille Fine Bourgogne French Brandy 700ml
Product details
| Management number | 253706520 | Release Date | 2026/10/24 | List Price | CA$30.00 | Model Number | 253706520 | ||
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This is a brandy with a real Chablis story behind it. When Romain Collet finishes the winemaking each year and the young wines are racked off to rest, the tanks and barrels are left holding the fine lees, the cloudy mix of wine and yeast that can't be bottled. The traditional solution across Burgundy is to distill those lees into Fine de Bourgogne, and the Collet family has a long history with it: Charles Collet, Romain's great-great grandfather, was the first Collet to make a mark in Chablis winemaking, and he certainly made Fine de Bourgogne himself, which is why Romain named this bottling in his honor.
The domaine farms 40 hectares in Chablis and bottles its own wines under Dominique and Romain Collet, a practice that began in 1954. For this brandy, the fruit source is the fine lees of pure Chardonnay from both Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards, and the sole vintage behind it is 2015, a year the importer describes as one of those that vignerons dream of, when the fruit comes in so healthy that "all they have to do is get out of the way." The brandy is a Vieille Fine de Bourgogne, meaning it aged more than five years in oak barrel before bottling, and it was bottled from a single cask of roughly 300 bottles.
Romain's own description is the best summary: "The Vieille Fine is supple without any of the rusticity of a Marc. Pretty amber color with a bouquet of walnuts, hazelnuts, and dried fruits like apricot and fig. The palate is round and enveloped showing very nice length." He suggests a small balloon-style glass you can warm in your hands to release the fruity, nutty aromatics. As the importer puts it, it's "like a suave old Frenchman, aged, refined, and still capable of sweeping you off your feet with a single sip." This is a genuinely uncommon spirit: the byproduct of Chablis winemaking, given the patience usually reserved for Cognac.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Charles Collet Vieille Fine Bourgogne is produced by Domaine Dominique & Romain Collet in Chablis, Burgundy, France, a 40-hectare estate that began bottling its own wines in 1954. The brandy is distilled from the fine lees of pure Chardonnay sourced from Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards, all from the 2015 vintage, and aged more than five years in oak barrel, qualifying it as a Vieille Fine de Bourgogne. It was bottled from a single cask of approximately 300 bottles. Bottled at 40% ABV / 80 proof, 700ml.
Critics Reviews
No formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time.
Romain Collet, Winemaker (official tasting note):
"The Vieille Fine is supple without any of the rusticity of a Marc. Pretty amber color with a bouquet of walnuts, hazelnuts, and dried fruits like apricot and fig. The palate is round and enveloped showing very nice length. It would do well in a small balloon-style glass that you can warm in your hands and release the beautiful fruity/nutty aromatics."
Importer tasting notes (extended):
"Appearance: The brandy exhibits a pretty amber hue. Nose: Aromas of walnuts and hazelnuts, accompanied by dried fruits such as apricot and fig. The bouquet is rich and nutty, showcasing the influence of its Chardonnay origins and extended oak aging. Palate: Round and enveloping, with flavors of dried fruits complemented by subtle nuttiness and a hint of oak. The mouthfeel is supple, without the rusticity often associated with Marc. Finish: Remarkably smooth and lengthy, leaving a satisfying impression of fruit and nut nuances."
Tasting Profile
Nose
Pretty amber color. Walnut and hazelnut lead, joined by dried apricot and fig, in a rich, nutty bouquet shaped by Chardonnay and extended oak aging.
Palate
Round and enveloping, with dried fruit carrying the entry, subtle nuttiness, and a hint of oak, supple and free of the rusticity associated with Marc.
Finish
Remarkably smooth and long, closing with lingering fruit and nut character.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Vieille Fine de Bourgogne — Lees Brandy |
| ABV / Proof | 40% ABV / 80 Proof |
| Source | Fine lees of Chardonnay, Premier Cru & Grand Cru, Chablis |
| Vintage of Lees | 2015 |
| Aging | Over 5 years in oak barrel |
| Production | Single cask, ~300 bottles |
| Producer | Domaine Dominique & Romain Collet — Chablis, Burgundy, France |
| Estate | 40 hectares; bottling its own wines since 1954 |
| Named For | Charles Collet, Romain's great-great grandfather |
| Style / Identity | A rare, supple, nut-and-dried-fruit brandy made from Chablis winemaking lees, aged with Cognac-like patience |
| Aromas & Flavors | Walnut, hazelnut, dried apricot, fig, oak |
| Bottle Size | 700ml |
Food Pairings
- Dried fruit and nut boards
- Aged, nutty cheeses
- Dark chocolate
- Walnut or hazelnut desserts
Serving Note
Best neat after dinner in a small balloon-style glass, warmed in the hands to release the fruity, nutty aromatics. Traditionally, Fine de Bourgogne is also mixed with crème de cassis for a "finecass."
Bestseller ranking
SPIRITS
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