Tasting note

Nose

The first thing that emerges is distilled grapes as they just come out of the still. Bit like you often have with grappa, but with very nice grappa. The wood has done its job well and made all the sharp edges mild. Bitter chocolate, cherries and a nutty blend of hazelnut and walnuts.

Taste

A wooden plank that spent hours in water before it could be used in the bbq. A dark wood with roasted chestnuts and a stew of mushrooms. The wood is very present, but not in a bad way. You have to love it, but this is an armagnac with character.

Finish

Blue grapes and rancio, delicious sweetness and, of course, the wood. What a powerhouse!

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.