Domaine de Baraillon 1980

Nose

Lavender, roses and violets provide an elegant floral opening. Dried plums and grapes form a mature fruity foundation, joined by nutmeg, creamy caramel, vanilla and warming oak spices.

Palate

Full and rich with raisins, sweet dates and creamy milk chocolate. Cherry liqueur chocolates, currants and mature wine are followed by cinnamon, toasted walnuts, roasted chestnuts and a gentle touch of vanilla.

Finish

Long, layered and pleasantly sweet with dried fruit, nuts and a subtle vinous note that lingers beautifully.

Domaine de Baraillon is located near Lannemaignan in Bas-Armagnac and has been farmed by the Claverie family since 1748. The estate developed over successive generations into a small Armagnac domaine. Management traditionally passed from father to son until Laurence Claverie returned in 2001 after studying viticulture and oenology. She became the first daughter to continue the business and assumed responsibility from vineyard to distillation.

What makes Baraillon distinctive is that its history remains visible in both vineyards and cellars. The estate uses Folle Blanche, Ugni Blanc and Baco 22A for Armagnac. These varieties reflect the region’s development: Folle Blanche was the classic distilling grape before phylloxera, while Baco was created afterwards as a more resilient alternative. The cellars still contain pure Baco distillates made by earlier generations, while recent single-varietal releases are often produced from Folle Blanche. Since purchasing its own alambic still in 2012, distillation has taken place on the estate. With preserved vintages dating back to the late nineteenth century, Baraillon is a rare living archive of family, grape variety and harvest year.