Domaine Tariquet VSOP Bas-Armagnac

Le Tariquet is the cradle of a whole family since 1912. First of all, the house of Hélène and Pierre Grassa, who began the tradition with their love of fine armagnac. Then the home of their children Maïté and Yves, both passionate winemakers, who are now joined by Yves' sons, Armin and Rémy, the third generation of winemakers in the family. Together they run the Tariquet winery, which has always remained an independent and family-owned business. On nearly 900 hectares of land, they produce Tariquet white wines and Bas Armagnac brandies that have gained international recognition.

This Armagnac is made from a blend of several vintages of the two grape varieties Ugni-blanc (60%) and Baco (40%). Distillation takes place in an authentic armagnac still, which is wood-fired. Subsequently, the armagnac is aged in the cellars of Château du Tariquet, which are more than one hundred years old, in fresh, lightly toasted French oak barrels for at least 7 years.

By the way, this VSOP is also the armagnac recommendation for bars in the fantastic Death & Co bar book, I can only agree. He has with his young years still good fire and character to hold out against equally strong spirits. Being armagnac he has all the wanted characteristic notes, which are fantastic both in sours, but especially also stirred drinks on their own or (my favorite) in combination with aged rum and / or calvados / apple brandy.

Nose:

Aromas like young plum, freshly baked raisin bun and sweet toast with quince jelly and gingerbread, candied orange peel, some sweet pear also in between grapes and honey.

Taste:

Grapes all over, mirabelle, young pear and not quite ripe quince, light raisins and some toasted oak, light herbal honey.

Finish:

Macerated stone fruit finish, with subtle oak, grape, tick of spicy ginger and camphor.

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