Introduction to Frapin

Frapin is located in the centre of the Grande Champagne Premier Cru du Cognac region in the sleepy little town of Segonzac, the finest designated region in Cognac. It is the only merchant located in the town and only sells Cognacs produced from grapes sourced from its own 778 acre estate in the heart of the Grande Champagne region. 

The Frapin family have been winegrowers since 1270 and mostly sold their Cognacs to Remy Martin, Hennessy, Courvoisier and other houses until the 1980's. Since 1984, when the Cointreau family took over what was then a forgotten brand, it has been selling increasing quantities of brandies. These brandies have been kept in new wood for longer than their competitors, so confident are they with the quality of it's brandies , the size of its stocks represent 18 years of sales (an amount of 2 to 3 times the quantity of the stocks held by its competitors). 

Frapin keeps its best cognacs in new oak for up to 2 and a half years, depending on the amount of colour (and therefore tannin) the spirit has absorbed.

Tasting Notes for Frapin VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac

Its orange colour bears witness to its time ageing in Limousin oak barrels. The bouquet is complex, fruity with orange and floral with dried flowers. Discreet notes of vanilla are revealed. This Frapin VSOP offers a wonderful aromatic intensity. Frapin VSOP is very harmonious. It is balanced with persistent flavours, including fruity orange notes. The finish is spicy with notes of cinnamon or pepper.

’The quintessential expression of the Frapin style. A cognac that can combine with anything at any time, as an aperitif, during a meal or after dinner.’ Patrice Piveteau, Cellar Master.

'Burnt sienna color; unblemished clarity. Up front, I pick up traces of baked fruits, especially peach and pear, plus a touch of baking spice, in particular, mace; more air contact stimulates deeper fragrances of vanilla bean, dried apricot, and old leather. Entry is juicy and ripe, toasty, and honeyed; midpalate accentuates the dried fruit that comes off as being a little more tropical (guava, especially) in nature than orchard-like. Concludes silky in texture, mildly honeyed, and elegant. A classy VSOP that beams with Grande Champagne elegance and depth.’ 2019 Rating: Highly Recommended, F. Paul Pacult, The New Kindred Spirits, August 2021.

Awards

Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2020 USA - 95/100 'Great Value'

Cognac Masters 2019 UK - Gold Medal

ISW 2019 Germany - Gold Medal

International Spirits Challenge 2018 UK - Gold Medal

Cognac Masters 2017 UK - Gold Medal

Cognac Masters 2016 UK - Master

World Cognac Awards 2016 UK - World’s Best VSOP