Artiguelongue Armagnac 1974
Previously a Cellar Master at a renowned Armagnac estate (let's just say its name rhymes with Château de Laubade), Eric Artiguelongue struck out on his own in 2005 to create his own line of brandies. With over 30 years of experience maturing and blending Armagnac, Eric is able to offer some of the appellation's greatest undiscovered gems. Purchased in minute quantities from small growers-distillers, the Armagnacs Eric works with are aged in oak barrels until they have reached their optimum quality and then stored in glass to maintain their peak condition. Eric then bottles the Armagnacs himself. In a region often stymied by tradition, Eric's Armagnacs excite in all their un-manipulated glory. There's no use of boise, caramel or sweeteners here.
The VSOP is bright and vibrant, composed of Colombard, Folle Blanche and Ugni Blanc, while the XO and vintage offerings also include Baco. This is limited production Armagnac. Only 90 bottles of each the 1985 and 1974 were imported into the US in 2015.
ARMAGNAC XO 15-YEARS-OLD: The nose of this Armagnac reveals a great character. Yet, the alcohol becomes more supple, tannins are getting refined and the aromas more precise. Candied fruit, warm prunes with chocolate hints in the background are combined to reveal a complex and well-structured Armagnac. Still impetuous, this eau-de-vie gains in complexity after a few minutes aeration in the glass. Its long length reveals the great quality of this subtle blend.
