Domaine de Baraillon 1999

Tasting note

Nose

The scent of juicy nectarines is the first thing to rise in our minds when we stick our nose in the glass. Also floral notes like elderflower and violets. In addition, freshly squeezed apple juice with some candied lemon and a fresh vanilla pod.

Taste

Freshly baked sultana rolls with that pink glaze, juicy apples, red grapes, currants and dates. Really sweet fruits like mango and even pineapple are also mentioned. The flavours follow in quick succession and we are clearly dealing with one of the favourites here.
 

Finish

Long, very long even and nicely fruity.

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 about it

Serge Valentin gives this Armagnac 90/100 points on his website www.WhiskyFun.com

Read his tasting notes here.