Domaine de Baraillon 1976

Tasting note

Nose

A thick, slightly oily nose. Where we are normally quick to name fruit notes, here we initially think more in vegetables and spiciness, but very elegant. The sweetness also gives this glass character. Sweetness in the form of tangerines and mango, so that nice fresh sweetness. As we smell through, it all gets a bit mustier, but meant positively. Mushroom and wet forest after a fresh rain.

Taste

Bitters from the tannins, even a little grainy like we know from fine syrah wines. Creamy, oily and a little oily. Besides a thick aroma, also a thick full flavour. You really have to sit down for this. Of course, we are also talking about a distillate that is more than 40 years old, so it is difficult for it to give itself away. We are spoilt with new flavours every sip. Now the creamy fruits emerge again, sultanas, peaches, even banana. Hints of coffee, chocolate and tobacco.

Finish

Very long and present. Tobacco notes and Christmas cake seems an odd combo, but believe me it's delicious.

The distillery

The Domaine de Baraillon is located just outside Lannemaignan in the Bas-Armagnac. The pretty little estate is surrounded by sunflower, maize and wheat fields and, of course, vineyards. Driving past the Domaine, you wouldn't even know that Armagnac is produced here, were it not for a large barrel on the side of the road with their name written on it. 

Claverie's Armagnacs are a combination of two properties: 4 hectares owned by Patriach Paul's sister in Le Freche and 12 hectares around his house. All vineyards are full of the three major grape varieties, Baco, Colombard and Ugni Blanc. Until 2012 they used the Loubere distillery in Labastide d'Armagnac, but in 2012 they bought their own stills in which they now turn their wines into spirits. The fresh eau de vie normally goes into 5,000-litre casks before being transferred to smaller barrels. Both new and old barrels are used for this purpose. The barrels are regularly aerated to promote oxidation. The oldest stocks date back to the late 19th century and it occasionally seems as if time has stood still at Domaine de Baraillon. Tradition and quality are therefore highly valued by the family.