Domaine de Baraillon 1979 - 10cl

Tasting note

Nose

The nose is quite complex, it's hard to fathom, but we're going to try anyway. Tropical sultanas and a nice combination of dried fruits like apricots, peaches and even mangoes. The wood aromas also come full circle. These give bitter notes and make the nose a bit drier. On second smelling, we also have chocolate and a hint of mint. 

Taste

What we smelled, we also clearly taste. A confiture of dried fruit served in a cigar box. Nice sweet ans sour balance and the chocolate also makes the tongue dance with happiness.

Finish

Think of a strong cup of tea with one of those chocolate-dipped orange segments on the side that lies melting from the heat of the tea. Just that flavour represents this finish.

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.