He brought it home in mid December but we didn't actually crack it open until this past weekend. Why? I don't know. I have a tendency to hoard and covet things I feel are special.
This bottle comes in at more than twice the cost of Lillet Blanc (and Rose and Rouge for that matter) so it was a pricier endeavor. I find that Lillet is best enjoyed fresh as it tends to lose a bit of its flavor as the days wear on. So I wanted to be ready to imbibe the Reserve over a few days and put it off until that moment presented itself.
From the Lillet site:
"This Premium Reserve is named after the family ancestor who settled in Podensac back in 1680. Produced using traditional regional methods dating back over a hundred years, in Réserve Jean de Lillet, carefully selected AOC wines, all of the same year and from the same winery, are blended with natural fruit liqueurs. It improves with age and can be kept for 15 to 20 years."
You can see why this is a special wine. I had Luis open it with my vintage French Zig Zag cork puller. This thing is hard to use but it seemed appropriate.
The smell is divine. Like the Blanc but richer. The color is more rich in the glass as well. We decided to be purists and just try it on its own with no added ice or garnish. It is sweet and a bit syrupy, almost like a dessert wine but still maintaining that bit of mineral quality that makes it taste more like a liqueur. A bite, if you will.
The first sip was my favorite. After that it was a bit much for me. I tend toward a dry pallet so the sweet was overwhelming. I still enjoyed it but feel that it makes for a better cordial. Luis was in agreement. It reminded me a bit of a Marsala but not as earthy.
All in all, a good experience. As it is still fairly fresh I plan to try it on a rock with citrus. However this will not be replacing my beloved Lillet Blanc.
Learn more about Lillet at www.lillet.com.
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