Charles Wells Ltd Vintage Early Landed 1973 Bottled 1996
⏳ wine.drinking_window
As a distilled spirit bottled in 1996, it does not mature further in glass and is fully expressive now, remaining stable for decades if kept sealed and upright.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Dark chocolate, blue cheese, roasted duck
✨ wine.spec_sheet
This exceptional vintage Cognac represents a legendary chapter in Anglo-French liquid history: the tradition of 'Early Landed' spirits. Distilled from the 1973 harvest by the venerable house of Hine, the young spirit was shipped in cask across the English Channel to age in the cool, damp, and highly humid cellars of Bristol under the supervision of Charles Wells Ltd. Unlike Cognac matured in the drier cellars of Jarnac, Early Landed Cognacs benefit from a slow, gentle maturation where the humidity prevents excessive evaporation of water, allowing the alcohol level to glide down gracefully while preserving incredibly delicate, floral, and orange-peel notes. Bottled in 1996, this release showcases the exquisite synergy between Grande Champagne terroir and traditional British cellar aging, offering a refined, pale, and remarkably ethereal profile far removed from heavier, wood-dominated spirits.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in Jarnac in 1763 and renamed Thomas Hine & Co. in 1817, Hine is one of the oldest and most prestigious houses in Cognac, France, celebrated for its exquisite, terroir-driven spirits. Situated along the banks of the Charente River at 16 Quai de l'Orangerie, 16200 Jarnac, the house is globally renowned for its exceptional single-vintage Cognacs, sourced predominantly from the premier crus of Grande and Petite Champagne. Hine's signature production philosophy includes the rare tradition of 'Early Landed' vintages, which are shipped to the United Kingdom to age in the damp, cool cellars of Bristol, resulting in remarkably delicate and floral profiles. Today, Hine continues to craft legendary expressions such as the Antique Premier Cru XO, Triomphe, and the single-estate Domaines Hine Bonneuil, maintaining an uncompromising standard of elegance that has earned them a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Discover more at https://www.hinecognac.com.