A dazzling demonstration of the art of blending, in which 450 very old eaux-de-vie from the four most prestigious cognac crus are brought together in perfect harmony – that is Martell Chanteloup XXO, the exceptional cognac just unveiled by Maison Martell. An outstanding example of the savoir-faire perpetuated by the House since it was founded in 1715, Martell Chanteloup XXO also represents a complete expression of the very best of the Cognac terroir.
Martell Chanteloup XXO takes cognac lovers right to the heart of Maison Martell, and to the very essence of its art of blending. This legacy of savoir-faire, passed on through nine generations, is today in the hands of Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud, who blends Martell Chanteloup XXO from a meticulous selection of rare and precious eaux-de-vie (the youngest of which are 14 years old!) drawn from the Cognac region’s four finest terroirs: Borderies, Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne and Fins Bois. Naturally, to attain harmony from such richness and complexity demands exceptional virtuosity on the part of Christophe Valtaud – an expertise he shares with cognac lovers through the unique experience that is the Martell Chanteloup XXO Masterpiece.
An unprecedented concept in the world of cognac, the Martell Chanteloup XXO Masterpiece was created to accompany connoisseurs in their discovery of Martell Chanteloup XXO. At the heart of the experience is an elaborate and exquisitely crafted trunk, made to order by Ateliers Normand, which holds the coveted Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label awarded by the French government. The trunk opens to reveal – around the centrepiece of the cognac itself – two montres, the glass sampling bottles traditionally used in the Cognac region, which are personally chosen by the client in consultation with Christophe Valtaud.
For the “Montre des Années”, the client selects an eau-de-vie from among the oldest and most representative vintages of either the Borderies or Grande Champagne. The “Montre des Arômes”, meanwhile, is chosen to express the client’s preference for one of the notes developed by Martell Chanteloup XXO – for example, the floral aromas characteristic of the Borderies, the fresh fruit of Fins Bois, or the overtones of rancio associated with Grande Champagne.
The Martell Chanteloup XXO Masterpiece revisits the traditional codes of trunk-making with its bold, contemporary design. Each trunk is individually numbered and personalised by the client after a private consultation with Christophe Valtaud. The entire experience around the Martell Chanteloup XXO Masterpiece lasts more than six months and establishes a special, one-to-one relationship between the client and Maison Martell.
Both Martell Chanteloup XXO and the Martell Chanteloup XXO Masterpiece were revealed on 11 September 2019 at a dazzling gala dinner in the Petit Palais in Paris – a historic setting for a landmark launch, since Martell Chanteloup XXO opens up an entirely new category of cognac. Beyond its savoir-faire and mastery of the art of blending, Maison Martell is thus demonstrating the spirit of audacity and innovation that are the legacy of its founder Jean Martell.
Martell Chanteloup XXO is named after the Château de Chanteloup, the heart and soul of Maison Martell. A heaven of serenity in the Borderies terroir, Chanteloup was the Martell family estate for generations. Its origins date back to the 16th century, when it was a fortified farm surrounded by woods and vineyards. In 1838, it was acquired by Jean Martell’s grandson Théodore, who extended the domain and converted the original house into a residential château set in parkland. In the 1930s, Maurice Firino-Martell transformed it into the building it is today – a neo-medieval manor in a style more associated with Deauville than Cognac, all for the love of his wife Elisabeth, who was homesick for her native Normandy. Today, the Château de Chanteloup retains the ambiance of a family home, ready to welcome special guests with the spirit of generosity for which the Martell family and Maison Martell have always been renowned. The famous Chanteloup cellar, meanwhile, which is accessible to only a select few beyond the Martell Cellar Master, is where the precious eaux-de-vie for Martell Chanteloup XXO are kept.
If you are interested in purchasing the Martell Chanteloup XXO bottle, click the Contact Us button below.
Please do not share with anyone under 18. Drink responsibly.