The Frapin family has been based in Charente since 1270, working first as wine-growers and later as distillers. Today it owns 240 hectares of vines in Grande Champagne, planted with Ugni Blanc, which has been grown for 21 generations. Distillation is completed in six 25 hl red copper Charentais stills. The cognac is then aged in Limousin oak barrels, first in new oak, then in older roux barrels and finally in century-old barrels for older cognacs, which no longer need to take on additional colour or aromas from the wood. The house owns both dry and humid cellars. Segonzac's were built by Gustave Eiffel. Frapin's cognacs have won numerous awards, notably at the Expositions Universelles in Paris in 1889 and 1900. They have been a success ever since.

The "Part des Anges" ["Angels' Share"] is the poetic term used to describe the evaporation that occurs when Cognac is left to age in barrels. The term now refers to a yearly gathering, bringing the men and women of Cognac together for a charity event.
This year, the "Fée du Paradis" is representing the 4th edition of an event that was founded by the Interprofession du Cognac in 2006.
This auction sale offers collectors the opportunity to bid on truly exceptional, even unique, bottles of Cognac offered up by generous donors. Profit from sales will be donated to the Fondation de France.

FRAPIN, for the occasion of 2009's Part des Anges, designed a carafe in tribute to François RABELAIS, whose mother was Catherine FRAPIN. This unique blend of very old Grande Champagne from the Château de Fontpinot vineyard is distilled on lees and kept in peace and quiet in the cellars with the personal stock of Pierre Frapin (1858-1944), developing a sumptuous bouquet and confirmed, profound sensuality. Its highly complex aromatic palette combines aromas of dried fruits, walnuts, hazelnuts, raisins and prunes with notes of candied orange and heady balsamic and roasted flavours of cocoa, tonka beans and coffee - all heightened by a touch of pepper and mellow spice, pale honey, vanilla, leather and exotic woods.
ABV: 40%
• Volume: 70 cl.