Founder and creator Christophe Namer, a native of Aix-en-Provence with over 20 years of experience in the wine and spirits world, turned his dream into a reality when he created this new elixir. Cardinal du Four (CdF) 21 Rébellion is a harmonious blend of vintage Armagnacs from 21 to 43 years of age, which is superior in quality while using innovative blending techniques to ensure that each sip is luxuriously smooth, balanced, and elegant.
Armagnac has become the modern connoisseur’s answer to Cognac. Interestingly, many are not aware that Armagnac is 700 years old, while Cognac is 500 years old, yet year after year, Armagnac has re-emerged as a connoisseur’s drink. 21 Rébellion defies the old adage of traditional Armagnac consumption styles and instead introduces new ways of enjoying it.
“Armagnac has been living in the shadow of Cognac for too long, it’s time we shine a light onto the Armagnac region,”said Namer. “More than 98% of Cognac is shipped out of France; therefore, the French consume more Armagnac than Cognac, making it truly FRANCE’S BEST KEPT SECRET!” He added, “With CdF, it was important to create a blend that is uncompromising in quality, stays true to tradition, but would also be smooth and complement culinary experiences. I wanted an Armagnac that wasn’t just going to be enjoyed in a library after dinner, but one that can be paired with an appetizer, entrée, or a dessert.”
CdF 21 Rébellion personifies complexity and power with elegance and finesse. Its brilliant amber color has floral aromas of jasmine and iris followed by secondary layers of nutmeg, dried fig, caramelized apples, along with elegant toasted wood vanilla flavors. The long and lingering finish imparts cacao beans and salted caramel. The Armagnac is best enjoyed from specially designed tulip-shaped glasses that deliver the full tasting experience.
The Cardinal du Four experience begins with its namesake. Named after and inspired by the late Cardinal Vital du Four, a French theologian and philosopher, who was a luminary known for his intellect and remarkable discoveries, includingdocumenting the first evidence of distillation in France dating back to 1310 praising the virtues of Armagnac. His original texts have been preciously guarded and remain today at the Vatican Library archive in Rome since the 16th century. CdF is an enlivened spirit housed in a glass decanter with a red galvanized and lacquered metallic closure shaped like that of a Cardinal’s “mitre” or hat. The beautiful and timeless decanter shape resembles the Cardinal standing, as if to say, this illuminates the spirit of Cardinal du Four himself.
“It’s magnificent to evoke a brandy present in the Middle Ages,” rejoices Namer. He added that the meaning of 21 in the Bible is “rebellion” and “sin” Cardinal Du Four is a “rebellion of Armagnac against Cognac” and based on three pillars of inspiration: The harmony of the Armagnac brandy blend, the illumination projected onto the Armagnac region of France, and the wonder associated with this new and timeless decanter. In fact, every part of the bottle’s design tells a story. For instance, the emblem of Cardinal du Four was inspired by The Pantheon’s Dome. The word “Pantheon” is a Greek adjective meaning “honor all Gods” and the Pantheon was first built nearly 2000 years ago as a temple for this very reason. It is said that the Great Artist, Michelangelo, saw this wonder, and exclaimed that it looked more like the work of angels and not of humans. Namer, clearly inspired by history and humanity’s great works, hopes to make his own contribution in the world of spirits.
With this in mind, Cardinal du Four is collaborating with some of the world’s top luxury brands to bring consumers new and unique experiences. For example, Cardinal du Four recently finalized a partnership with Delage, the French luxury automobile and racecar company founded in 1905 by Louis Delage in Levallois-Perret near Paris, to release a Limited Edition bottle later this summer when it debuts its Delage D12 hypercar at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance. According to Laurent Tapie, re-founder and CEO of Delage, “Delage and Cardinal du Four Armagnac both originate from rich French savoir faire traditions and we are constantly aiming to create innovative and thrilling experiences that transport our clients through a journey.”
While relatively new in the market, Cardinal du Four CdF 21 Rébellion has already received significant industry recognition and accolades including:
GOLD MEDAL 2019 – CONCOURS GENERAL AGRICOLE PARIS
DOUBLE GOLD, 97 POINTS from Anthony Dias Blue, James Beard Award Winner saying “perhaps the most refined Armagnac I’ve ever tasted”
Blue Lifestyle, 2020
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL, San Francisco World Spirits Design Competition 2020
Despite the rapid success, Namer intends to take his time growing the brand and market reach. He says, “There is no point in growth if it’s not done correctly in a sustainable way.” His approach to business reflects the care he has put into developing the Armagnac itself – an approach that ensures the spirit lives on.
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Limited Edition CdF Pour Delage
DELAGE D12
CARDINAL DU FOUR Armagnac, 21 Rébellion