"In 1838, under Louis-Philippe, Pascal Dartigalongue, a native of Saint-Lannes near
Madiran settled in Nogaro in the Gers and founded his Armagnac Trading House which is still ours today. "
Next to the classic range, bottled at 40 °, the Sélection de
Millésimes range is another approach to the
Vintage: on some barrels of exceptional quality, the Cellar Master will look for the ideal degree that will best reveal the character of the wine.
Vintage and the typicality of Armagnac at this very precise stage of its aging. The objective is to have a maximum aromatic power while controlling the alcoholic degree to have a perfect balance aroma / alcohol, power, very complex to reach. Limited series bottling (Single Cask) and each bottle is numbered. The first series of Single Casks was launched in 2011, the second in 2013, and the last bottles were sold in September 2016.
The third series, proposed in autumn 2016, highlights four vintages spanning four decades, the first three presented in Single Cask: 1997, 47 °, 488 bottles, intense, notes of exotic
fruits, blackcurrant bud, fresh round, fruity, it is appreciated as an aperitif; 1984, 45 °, 476 bottles, notes of toasted oak then aromas of crème brûlée, perfect with a chocolate mellow; 1974, 44 °, 347 bottles, notes of
rancio, dried fruit, fresh and
fine, it will accompany a cigar; and 1963, 43 °, 79 bottles from a single bottle, notes of smoked oak, sandalwood, spices, all in delicacy. The originality of this series, it is this bottle of exceptional quality of
Vintage 1963, of a capacity of 60 l (single bottle). The transfer of the barrel was made in 2014, an aging of more than 50 years in wood ... "
Benoît Hillion tells us that 15 to 20% of the 2017 harvest was lost, but that we find a lot of freshness and fruitiness in the wines thanks to the cold snap at the beginning of September, which benefited the vineyard. A new
Vintage is planned to celebrate the 180 years of the house, it will be released in September and will be called "1838-2018". Last year, all packagings were reviewed, so this year is the continuity, but from a technical point of view, tests are made on different French oak barrels for comparisons with traditional Gascony casks .
Superb Bas-Armagnac
cuvée 20 Years of Age, presented in this beautiful carafe Yogi (100% of the packaging is Made in France, and for the most part Made in South-West!), An assembly of several vintages aged more than 20 years in oak barrels, including the vintages 1992, 1990, 1987 and 1988.
Long in the mouth, it develops a gourmet and delicate finish with citrus fruit flavors (vanilla, candied
fruits), a great
finesse.
And then there is this Blanche Armagnac. "Our Blanche Armagnac is made from a blend of
Ugni Blanc, Baco and
Folle Blanche grape varieties. On leaving the
Alambic, the 60 ° distillate is reduced many times in order to gradually release its aromas and obtain a
brandy whose
finesse and length in the mouth are remarkable. We make a reduction in several stages, then a stabilization in stainless steel tanks 3 months, degree of marketing of 43 °. Its color is limpid, its nose has notes of lily, pear, apple, juniper berry. We find in the mouth the same aromas, with a finish with notes of
sweet almond. Beautiful texture both powerful and unctuous, remarkable length. "
