Augier Le Sauvage is a bold and ‘wild’ Cognac that uses traditional and natural fine lees distillation in its production. A blend of eaux-de-vie distilled from Ugni Blanc grapes grown in the Petite Champagne region, this Cognac boasts a bright and vibrant flavor profile with dominant fruity notes of apricot, citrus, exotic fruits and vanilla.
Many argue that Augier is the oldest Cognac house in existence after being established in 1643 by wine merchant Philippe Augier and his brother. In 2013, the brand was given a new lease of life after being purchased by legendary French group Pernod Ricard, who have developed the Augier brand into a ‘Cognac house for geeks’ where every artisanal method of production is explained on the bottle’s label. The brand’s blend of traditional technique with modern marketing has certainly got connoisseurs talking, and Le Sauvage is one of three flagship products that have been introduced to excite and reignite the industry, each with their own unique qualities.
Singularity is what makes Augier stand out on the market. As with their Le Singulier Cognac, Le Sauvage comes from one single terroir, one single grape and one single distillation method. The reinforced fine wine lees distillation method adds power and structure to this original Cognac. The chalky soils of Petite Champagne mean the eaux-de-vie contained in Le Sauvage provide a balanced flavor profile, while the choice to use exclusively Ugni Blanc grapes celebrate the individual aromas that can be produced from this popular variety.
In order to ensure the highest quality and distinguishable flavors in their Cognacs, Augier do not chill-filter their products before botting. Augier also enforces a strict no-additives policy when it comes to producing Cognac, hence the pale golden color of Le Sauvage. This attention to detail and transparency in their production processes has led to Augier taking home several awards for their hard work, including two Gold Medals for Le Sauvage at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and San Francisco World Spirits Competition respectively.
Presentation of the Bottle
Augier’s branding simply screams artisanal expertise. The unique design is reminiscent of a Victorian medicine vial, a subtle nod to their rich and long history in the region. The bottle features clear information about the product, from its provenance to the grape variety used and even the percentage of lees it contains. The unique green stopper and animal-inspired sketched logo on the label give the bottle an authentic feel; its natural colors serve as a reminder of the use of natural production methods and lack of additives or artificial color. The bottle also comes with a clean white cardboard case for storage or gifting purposes.
How to Enjoy Augier le Sauvage
As usual, House of Augier are very informative on not only how their Cognac is produced, but how you should enjoy it. They recommend pairing this Cognac with a prickly pear roasted in honey lemon and thyme. Although we’re not sure how easy it is to get our hands on a prickly pear, any sweet/citrus balanced dessert would pair well with the vibrant fruit notes of the Cognac, and the spicy element on the finish would certainly be lifted with the addition of fresh herbs. Enjoy this Cognac neat in a tulip glass alongside your favorite personal pairing!
