Bas Armagnac Castarede 1988 50 cl

Bas Armagnac, Castarède District

Armagnac, often preferred over Cognac, is famous for its full-bodied and smooth taste. This French brandy, which has its roots in the 15th century in Gascony, benefits from the region's unique soil and climate. The grapes ripen slowly, resulting in a more delicate aroma and finesse. Armagnac is aged in oak barrels and glass containers, and after several years of maturation, it is blended into varieties such as VS, VSOP, XO and Hors d'Age. In particularly good years, Armagnac Vintage is produced.

Castarède, established in 1832, is the oldest trading house in Armagnac. The Castarède family has run the business for six generations, and today Florence Castarède is at the helm. The company owns 16 hectares of vineyards in Bas Armagnac with the grape varieties Folle Blanche, Colombard, Ugni Blanc and soon also Baco. Castarède also buys grapes and wines, which are aged in their cellars. Their specialty is vintage Armagnacs, the oldest vintage dating back to 1893. Castarède Armagnac is known for its rounded style, as the spirits are matured for a very long time in wooden barrels. For example, XO or Hors d'Age mature for 20 years instead of the legally required 10 years. Each bottle of Armagnac Vintage has a back label that guarantees the vintage and bottling date. Several of Castarède's products have achieved high scores in international assessments.

Bas Armagnac Castarède 1988 – France

Origin: Bas-Armagnac, Gascony, France
Producer: Maison Castarède (established in 1832 – the oldest Armagnac)
Alcohol percentage: Typically 40% vol.
Grape varieties: Primarily Ugni Blanc and/or Baco 22A , possibly with smaller amounts of Folle Blanche or Colombard (unless otherwise stated on the bottle)

Bas Armagnac Castarède 1988 is a vintage Armagnac with over 30 years of aging in French oak barrels . The long maturation gives it a velvety, ripe and complex character , typical of well-developed Bas-Armagnac.

Tasting notes:

Aroma: Elegant and aromatic nose with notes of prunes, dried apricots, walnuts, cedar and vanilla .

Taste: Full-bodied and deep with distinct hints of ripe fruit, dark caramel, tobacco, light rancio and discreet oak .

Aftertaste: Long, balanced and dry – with notes of spices, nuts and old wooden barrel elegance .

Style and expression:

A classic, dry and aristocratic Armagnac with complexity from age and elegance from the terroir of Bas-Armagnac. Less polished than cognac, but more rustic and full of character.

Serving suggestions:

Enjoy neat at room temperature in a tulip-shaped glass.
Suitable as an end to a dinner – or for quiet reflection in good company.

Typical grape varieties in Bas Armagnac:

Ugni Blanc – the most commonly used grape. Provides acidity and structure, suitable for long aging.

Baco 22A – cross between Folle Blanche and Noah. Gives fatness, depth and fullness. Very common in Bas-Armagnac.

Folle Blanche – the original grape of the region. Provides elegance and florality, but is delicate.

Colombard – used to a lesser extent. Contributes spicy and fruity nuances.