Origin and production
Alliance No.10 is an estate Cognac from Grande Champagne, the premier cru of the Cognac region. Ragnaud-Sabourin's vineyards lie around Ambleville on chalk-rich soils that favour fine, floral eaux-de-vie, with Ugni Blanc forming the basis of this bottling.
The wine is distilled twice in traditional Charentais copper pot stills before the eaux-de-vie mature in French oak. Although labelled VSOP, Alliance No.10 is assembled from Cognacs aged for at least ten years, substantially longer than the statutory minimum for the category, giving greater depth without losing Grande Champagne's characteristic finesse.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep gold with bronze highlights and a clear, glossy rim.
Nose
Baked pear, stewed apple and prune are layered with floral honey, lemon peel, coffee bean and softly toasted oak.
Palate
Silky and mellow, opening with orchard fruit and dried apricot before toffee, cocoa and warming spice emerge. Fine oak tannin provides shape, while a gentle rancio note adds savoury complexity to the long, elegant finish.
Serving suggestions
Serve neat in a tulip-shaped glass and allow a few minutes for the aromas to open. A small drop of still water can reveal further fruit and spice. It is an excellent after-dinner Cognac, particularly with roasted almonds, dark chocolate or a simple pear tart.
Background story
Ragnaud-Sabourin is a family-run grower-producer with roots in Grande Champagne dating to the nineteenth century. From vineyard to distillation and long cellar ageing, production remains under the family's control, allowing a notably direct expression of the cru.
The number in Alliance No.10 refers to its minimum decade of maturation rather than a vintage. That extended ageing places it beyond the usual expectations of VSOP and makes it a particularly refined introduction to the house's restrained, traditional approach.
