A partnership that is the epitome of luxury – Martell x Baccarat x Christie’s.
In a first for both brands, the Maison Martell 72 Year Old Grande Champagne Cognac is to be offered in Christie’s Fine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online sale, Featuring Ancient Cognac and Part II of The Historical Vintage Port from the Cellars of Raby Castle.
Maison Martell, the oldest of the great cognac houses will sell a single handcrafted Baccarat decanter of Martell 72 Years Old Grande Champagne Cognac, to be offered during Christie’s Fine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online sale from 22 November – 6 December. Maison Martell is renowned throughout the world for the finesse and elegance of its cognacs, the result of a legacy of savoir-faire handed down through nine generations. Together with a passion for its craft and a profound attachment to the terroir, Maison Martell is defined by the audacity with which it has challenged convention to create new expressions of cognac, including the icon Martell Cordon Bleu in 1912. The free spirit of the House is symbolised by its historic emblem: the swift.
A Rare, Exceptional Martell Cognac, Perfected Over Time
Since its founder’s first auction in 1766, Christie’s has showcased some of the world’s finest and rarest wines and spirits. Martell 72 Years Old Grande Champagne will be the next to be presented. It is one of the House’s oldest cognacs selected in its extraordinary reserve of over 12,000 eaux-de-vie. Born from a single eau-de-vie from a single cru of the prestigious Grande Champagne terroir, this revered cognac has spent over seven decades in Martell cellars.
Initially stored in Maison Martell’s historic cellars at the Port du Lys, this exceptional eau-de-vie was subsequently transferred to two other cellars before being placed in the legendary Jean Martell cellar, reserved for the Maison’s oldest and rarest eau-de-vie. When it was judged that this eau-de-vie had attained perfection, its ageing process was deliberately halted, and it was transferred from oak barrels to dame-jeannes, traditional glass flasks which protect eau-de-vie from contact with the air, preserving their qualities for years to come. Only now, after having spent 72 years in Martell cellars, including three decades in dame-jeannes, this singular cognac is being revealed to the world and auctioned at Christie’s.
What does it taste like? The Grande Champagne terroir from which it originates inspires a floral nose, punctuated by aromas of acacia honey and orange blossom. On the palate, notes of fresh tobacco, tart citrus and white cedar are accompanied by a remarkable silken sensation. It creates an immediate impression of aromatic richness, fullness and ideal balance – all defining characteristics of Grande Champagne and of a perfectly managed ageing process. Christophe Valtaud, Martell’s Cellar Master said how this collaboration with Christie’s and Baccarat continues to place Maison Martell’s cognacs as a luxurious product that people could collect worldwide.
A Single, Remarkable Decanter, Hand-crafted by Baccarat
The result of an exceptional collaboration among Martell and Baccarat, Martell 72 Years Old Grande Champagne cognac is being released in a single decanter. For this special edition, Baccarat (France’s most revered luxury glass manufacturer) has designed and crafted a crystal decanter with gold accents, worthy of the rare blend within.
Sixteen Baccarat artisans (several of whom are Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, a prestigious designation for outstanding craftsmen) worked together to create this masterpiece, which took six days to complete. A graceful motif of intertwined vine leaves and shoots has been hand-painted in gold and enamel, while the crystal stopper has been engraved with the Martell coat of arms and hand-painted in gold. The decanter is encased by an entirely hand-crafted wooden box, embellished with an intricate, gold-tone marquetry of grapevines, while the central oval medallion bears the name of the cognac.
An Auction with a Money-Can’t-Buy Experience
The successful buyer of Martell 72 Years Old Grande Champagne cognac at the Christie’s auction will not only acquire a one-of-a-kind cognac but also the opportunity to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Maison Martell in Cognac. This will include an exclusive tasting masterclass with Martell Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud, followed by a unique gastronomic experience co-created with Michelin three-star chef Alexandre Mazzia, and a one-night stay at the enchanting Château de Chanteloup, the historic home of the Martell family.
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is no stranger to the auction world, especially when it comes to luxury. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 7 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market.
The Martell 72-Year-Old Grande Champagne Cognac – Christie’s Fine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online sale from 22 November to 6 December 2024.
All imagery courtesy of Christie’s & Martell Cognac.