Normandin-Mercier Cognac
Since 1872, five generations have contributed to the development of the prestigious Normandin-Mercier Cognacs. The family has build its fame by perfecting the art of blending and ageing cognacs in an exceptional geographical site on their estate, the Domaine de La Péraudière.
What makes Normandin-Mercier so unique?
The Crus: For decades, the family Normandin-Mercier has been buying young cognacs from the same handful of producers in the crus of Petite Champagne and Grande Champagne only.
The Grapes: Normandin-Mercier cognacs are made with about 90% Ugni Blanc, and 10% of Colombard and Folle Blanche, a very rare and unique blend compared to other cognacs.
The Cellars: Normandin-Mercier cognacs are matured in the family chateau’s traditional cellars near the town of La Rochelle, the historic medieval port that made Cognac famous many centuries ago. The proximity of the ocean, the natural regulation of hygrometry and oceanic temperature all favor the ageing of the cognacs, giving them fullness, elegance and a unique character.
The Production: 25,000 bottles per year
It’s important to note that Normandin-Mercier cognacs contain no artificial coloring and are not subject to a cold filtration in order to preserve a total purity of the aromas and flavors.
VSOP Petite Champagne
Tasting Highlights
7 years minimum.
Brilliant, clear, beautiful and luminous golden amber color and look.
Subtle floral nose, honeysuckle and violet.
Subtly spicy with a touch of licorice.
Lively cognac perfect for long drink and cocktails.
Reviews
97 points
"This delicious and delicate Cognac opens with a distinctly nutty aroma. The palate unfolds pecan and almond, plus vanilla sweetness that lingers into the complex finish. Subtle white flower and pear mingle with ginger and clove on the graceful exhale." (Wine Enthusiast 2023)
93 points
"Golden and light in the glass, this Cognac offers rich, powerful aromas of caramel, dulce de leche and ripe banana. The buttery palate opens with vanilla cookie and tropical fruit, finishing with sprinkles of cayenne and cocoa. Petite Champagne region, minimum seven years old." (Wine Enthusiast, 2019)
Gold Medal (International Spirits Challenge, 2018)
92 points (Wine Enthusiast, 2013)
Prestige Fine Champagne
Tasting Highlights
15 years minimum.
Blend of Grande Champagne (brings sharpness and length) and Petite Champagne (subtlety, delicacy and sweetness).
Flavors of fruits, almond and plum with a rich and fat, but clean finish.
Aged 2 years in 350L new barrels, then moved a 600L barrels.
Reviews
96 points / Best of 2017 / Top 100 Spirits on 2017
"Nuanced and complex, this shows a floral lilt up front, segueing into more substantial vanilla and honey aromas. The palate is relatively dry, with cocoa and leather lightening to ginger spice and hints of tropical fruit." (Wine Enthusiast, 2017)
Excellent 93 points and Finalist (2012 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, New York)
Gold Medal (International Review of Spirits, BTI, 2012)
XO Grande Champagne
Tasting Highlights
30 years minimum.
Full and soft spirit although preserves a certain ardor thanks to its ageing in red barrels.
Gold supported with amber reflections.
Nose: dried fruits along with hazelnut and almonds, candied fruits, citrus fruits, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, and toffee.
Flavor: rancio (Porto), smoked, chocolate, cereal (brioche), vegetable (dry spices, light tobacco), Woody.
Mouth: ample and round. Complex, ample, elegant. To sample quietly.
Reviews
95 points, Finalist
“This stately brandy shows a soaring nose of raspberry butter pastry, vanilla nougat, honeyed figs, and dried golden flowers. the palate is lush and decadent filling the mouth with preserved fruit flavors and a long elegant finish.” - (Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2022)
4 stars. Highly recommended.
“Beautiful mahogany color; flawless clarity. First aromatic impressions are of old books/library, hard cheese, moss, and shiitake mushroom, which leads me to think “rancio”; secondary whiffs offer traces of lead pencil, flint, caramel custard/flan, egg white, baked apricot, and toffee. Entry is mineral-like and earthy dry at first, then the flavors open up by midpalate, going more towards breakfast cereal with dried fruit, pipe tobacco and nutmeg. Concludes medium long in the throat, biscuity, toffee-like, and gently ripe and sweet.” (Paul Pacult, The New Kindred Spirits, 2021)
91 points
"Like candy in a glass, this bold brandy overflows with butterscotch and caramel notes and finishes with ginger, cinnamon and candied-lemon peel accents. A delectable pairing with crème brûlée or other creamy desserts, or poured over ice cream." (Wine Enthusiast, 2013)
La Péraudière Grande Champagne
Tasting Highlights
From our cellars, we have selected this 'Grande Champagne' Premier Cru of 1992 to celebrate the 140th anniversary of our business, founded in 1872.
Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it has been aged in authentic casks, made by the best Cognac coopers; using hundred-year-old oak trees from our estate ‘La Péraudière’ which were chosen in 1989 for the exceptional subtlety of their grain. The staves were left to dry in the open-air for three whole years, and from these wonderful casks ‘La Péraudière’ cognac was born.
Limited series of 1000.
42.7% ABV.
Reviews
5 stars. Highest Recommendation.
“Ochre color; lovely, rich, pure core appearance. Opening sniffs pick up radiant aromas of earthy limestone/chalk, dates, figs, kiwi, saddle leather, and violets; secondary inhalations are of roasted meat, dried orange peel, dark chocolate, fudge, and oaky vanilla; midpalate is the pinnacle moment as the flavor profile features a rich, viscuous texture that supports integrated, old rum-like tastes of dried fruits (prune, black raisins), winter holiday fruitcake, nutmeg, baked ham with clove, and nut butter/Nutella. Finishes long, almond paste-like, lusciously creamy, and oaky sweet. A sterling, top-rank Grande Champagne cognac super-star from the 1992 harvest." (Paul Pacult, The New Kindred Spirits, 2021)
93 points / Best of 2017
"Look for warm vanilla aromas and a tickle of alcohol from this cask-strength Cognac. The complex, substantial palate starts with lots of caramel and oak up front, rounding to black cherry, dusty cocoa and orange peel midpalate, and drying to a citrusy finish." (Wine Enthusiast, 2017)
1976 Vintage Petite Champagne
Tasting Highlights
Single Vineyard, Single Vintage
Our Petite Champagne 1976 was crafted in respect for the purest tradition. Aged first in new barrels from the Tronçais forest for 18 months, these barrels were slightly burnt so that the wood influence was slowly imparted to create a homogeneity of the aromas. Then this cognac continued its ageing in red barrels for 8 years, and was finished in specially-selected old barrels.
Every intervention to the barrels was made under the supervision of the BNIC (Interprofessional National Office of the Cognac).
Well-balanced, fine, and supple in nose, as well as on the palate, with aromas of lily and orange peel. A very natural spirit. Bottled according to the strict regulations for Cognac vintages and under the supervision of the BNIC. Bottled in an attractive, distinctive bottle, sealed with wire and wax.
Reviews
5 stars, Highest Recommendation (Paul Pacult, The New Kindred Spirits 2021)
97 Points / Best of 2017
"Most Cognacs blend various vintages together: This one is a single-vintage Cognac that was distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2016, after 40 years in oak. It’s a stunner, with a complex, perfumy nose and kaleidoscopic palate that starts with cocoa and walnut, moves to a rounded, surprisingly fresh red apple note midpalate, and finishes with vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and hints of tropical fruit. It’s drying, slightly grippy and not nearly as oaky as one might expect." (Wine Enthusiast, 2017)
Gold Medal (International Wine and Spirit Competition 2016)
1976 Ocean Aged Petite Champagne
Tasting Highlights
Cask strength, 43%
Lovers of the ocean, Audrey and Edouard Normandin gave 44 bottles of the 1976 vintage to the sea, immersing them for fourteen months in the Iroise Sea.
Well-balanced, fine, and supple in nose, as in mouth, with aromas of lily and bark of orange and a pronounced salinity.
Rare Grande Champagne
Tasting Highlights
50 years old
Patience and years permitted this Cognac to become suppler and to concentrate its aromas in order to express all the length and the elegance of the Grande Champagne.
Aromas of orange peel, dried fruits, brioche and spices. Soft and long on the palate with delicate notes of grapes, apricots and oak.
Christmas Cognac Petite Champagne
Tasting Highlights
This Petite Champagne originates from an old family reserve handed down from father to son beginning with the house's creation in 1872 by Edouard Normandin's great, great grandfather, Jules Normandin.
This special and rare cuvee is bottled especially for Christmas from an specially-selected oak cask.
Pineau des Charentes
This five year old Pineau is a perfect example of how Pineau des Charentes should taste! Enjoy it as an aperitif chilled, on the rocks, mixed with a bit of tonic water or have some fun experimenting with it behind the bar. It also goes well with foie gras, blue cheese or with almost any dessert.
Press
-
![Preview page of French Brandy article with a bottle lineup below the title]()
Essential French Brandies: A Primer
A lot of questions abound about French brandies, especially Armagnac and Calvados. But myths and misconceptions arise even around France’s most famous Brandy export, Cognac.
-
![Close-up on label of Normandin-Mercier VSOP Cognac]()
8 VSOP Cognacs to Drink Right Now
Normandin Mercier 7 VSOP
This delicious and delicate Cognac opens with a distinctly nutty aroma. The palate unfolds pecan and almond, plus vanilla sweetness that lingers into the complex finish. Subtle white flower and pear mingle with ginger and clove on the graceful exhale.
97 Points — Kara Newman
-
![Collection of cork-toped samples of cognac with large barrel in the background, honeyed lighting]()
Ready to Take Your Cognac Game to the Next Level?
Another noticeable trend has been the uptick in single-vintage bottlings—a rarity in Cognac. But Normandin-Mercier (1976), Maison Surrenne (1975), Jean Grosperrin (1991) all dipped into the Paradis—the cave where rare brandies usually are stored—and released some of the best Cognacs you’ll see in your glass this year.
-
![Champagne flute and white wine on silver serving tray]()
Ask A Somm: Which Aperitif Wines Are Best Before a Holiday Meal?
Kick off dinner with one of these aperitif wines.
-
![Article screenshot featuring an upside-down copper pineapple glass]()
Discovering Pineau
French aperitif Pineau des Charentes is gaining ground as a cocktail component
-
![Man in a brandy cellar smelling a glass of cognac as seen through a window]()
Spirit of the Age
A connoisseur’s guide to the complex world of cognacs
