Chateau de Laubade 1992

Chateau de Laubade 1992

Single distillery armagnac - Bas Armagnac (Gers)
40% ABV
Amber red

Nose: Raisins, blueberries, strawberries, honey, peaches, vanilla, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, hot, thickens.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Raisins, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, honey, orange peel.
Finish: Medium. Walnuts, camphor, honey, blueberries.

Comments:

Sweet on the tongue, and very, very fruity. Lots of spice and honey in the nose. This is completely different from the Chateau de Laubade XO 15 ans, except for the wave of orange peel that hits the tongue. A sure sign that I haven't properly calibrated my armagnac palate!

Verdict:

I like this.

Chateau de Laubade XO 15 yo

Image from Au Panier Gourmand

Chateau de Laubade XO 15 yo

Single distillery armagnac - Bas Armagnac (Gers)
40% ABV
Amber red

Nose: Orange peel, soy sauce, strawberries, black pepper, roast ham, menthol.
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens in the mouth, slightly oily.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Orange peel, strawberries, menthol, marmalade.
Finish: Medium. Strawberries, roses.

Comments:

Very salty and strong in the nose, with a sharp bite of menthol. Once tasted however, this armagnac becomes a different creature - sweet on the tongue, with a little teasing hint of mint as a reminder of the robust salty tangy nose. The finish is also quite gentle, although it would be hard to top that first whiff from the lip of the glass!

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

This is supposed to be a very good producer (3rd rank), and I certainly enjoyed the armagnac. I found it to be an experience full of surprises.

The chateau has been owned by Jean-Jacques Lesgourgues since 1974, and he makes a lot of armagnac. I mean, 9 warehouses?! In addition to the XO, there's a VSOP, an Hors d'Age, vintages and pure grape vintages (i.e. Bacco 1984, say). The last are bottled at a higher strength than 40%.

Vineyard size: 105 hectares
Chai: 9 warehouse shaped structures, organised, cement floors.
Soil: sables fauves, boulbenes (iron rich sand, sand with clay pieces).
Barrels: Gascon and Limousin.
Grapes: Ugni Blanc (50%), Bacco (25%), Columbard (17%), Folle Blanche (13%).

- from Armagnac by Charles Neal