Clément Rare Cask Collection Joie de Vivre 2002

Clement is a 300 year old Martinique estate, GBH owned and strong in aged expressions, and this Rare Cask Collection Joie de Vivre is a single cask from the 2002 vintage. Pressed from fresh sugar cane juice on a column still and matured for over sixteen years in ex bourbon oak, it is bottled unsweetened at 44%, a long aged AOC agricole whose tropical years show real depth.

Despite the age the cane character holds. The nose is layered with coffee, dried apricot, an earthy note and an agricole undertone, while the palate turns toward peppery orchard fruit, apple and pear lifted by baking spice. The finish is woody and spicy with a faint rubbery, mineral edge that adds intrigue. Balanced and approachable for all its years in wood, it is the kind of well integrated aged agricole that even a newcomer to the style can read clearly.