Vieille Mirabelle (Alte Mirabelle) Hors d’Age 2022 700ml – Jean-Paul Metté

Next to the 25-year-old sloe, probably the most beautiful distillate by Jean-Paul Metté. This double brandy made from fermented mirabelles, 2/3 of which come from Alsace and 1/3 from Lorraine, was stored in glass balloons for at least 25 years before bottling. The Vieille Mirabelle Réserves Exceptionnelles Hors d'Age was produced in a limited edition of only 120 bottles. Tasting note by Pascal Leonetti Extremely harmonious in appearance, this brandy aged for 25 years in glass balloons is interspersed with occasional fine green reflections. The nose is open, pleasant and sweet with a nice intensity. One smells mirabelle, yellow fruit and peach skin. The palate is pleasant and racy with ripe, fruity flavours of mirabelle and peach skin. Wonderful length! Pascal Leonetti has been sommelier at the classic three-star restaurant l'Auberge de l'Ill in Illhaeusern since 1998. His teacher was Serge Dubs, the legendary world sommelier of 1989. In 2006, Pascal Leonetti was also voted France's best sommelier himself thanks to his excellent qualifications. His sensory skills are outstanding; for example, he can identify almost all 87 Metté distillates by smell in blind tastings.