Domaine de Baraillon 1967

Tasting note

Nose

Figs and dates are the first scents to exit the glass. Wood aromas too, of course, as this distillate has been aged in French oak for over 50 years. Dried mushrooms and tomatoes to be revived with olive oil, bitter oranges, baklava and dried fruits.

Taste

Furniture polish and sultanas are the first associations, but this glass has much more to offer. Beautiful bitter notes as we also find in Campari. Tobacco leaves and chocolate are also mentioned. What flavours, all in perfect harmony and every sip is a treat.

Finish

Not very long, as we would have loved to keep this flavour in our mouths for hours. One that impresses, though.

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.