Domaine de Baraillon 1965

Tasting note

Nose

Plenty of dried fruit gives way to fresh notes of currants and older grapes that have lingered on the vine. Honey, hints of cloves and violets are also perceptible on the nose.

Taste

Grapes, mango, apricot spread around and create a full mouthfeel. The fresh fruit slowly gives way to figs, dates and sultanas. Wildflower honey and toasted nuts also fit perfectly into the flavour we expect from an armagnac of this age. Almost 60 years old, but still full of life.

Finish

Deliciously complex with bitters from the wood and lovely acidity from the fruit.

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.

What others say

On WhiskyFun.com, this Armagnac received a whopping 86 points  from Serge Valentin

Read Serge Valentin's tasting note here.