ARMAGNAC XXO MONLUC TENAREZE

Grape varieties: Ugni Blanc & Baco 22-A
Harvest years: 2002 / 1998 / 1986 / 1984
Aged in French oak barrels
40% VOL · 700 ML · Product of France

Appearance: Clear / Amber.
Nose: Nuts / Vanilla / Sandalwood.
Palate: Nuts / Violet / Dark chocolate / Vanilla / Sandalwood / Peppermint.
Tasting note: Silky with a very nice juicy and peppery finish.

Saint-Puy, the vineyard and the Gascons

In Saint-Puy, a small Gascon village perched on its hill, stands a castle whose origins date back over ten centuries. Even in the Neolithic era, several millennia ago, people chose to settle on this promontory covered with oaks. The polished stone axes and arrowheads found on the terrace attest to their industry and their first exchanges. A few tens of centuries later, the Romans developed viticulture, thus bringing wealth to this region that would become Gascony. In the medieval era, the Saracens passed through and introduced the alembic. Moreover, the English, occupants driven out of the Gascon country in the 14th century, viewed the trade of Dutch merchants with great disapproval. Indeed, Dutch ships were only allowed to pass through Bordeaux - a city under English possession - and sail up the Garonne to load wines from the Upper Gascon Country from the spring following the harvest. It was already too late for many of the wines of that era, which, more or less well stored, did not have the patience to wait for long months and were found to be spoiled upon the arrival of the Dutch merchants. They then had the idea of distilling a part of these wines to incorporate the alcohol obtained into the remaining wines. This fortification had the effect of ensuring good preservation of the wines.

From this period, in Armagnac, wine began to be distilled to produce an alcoholic beverage. This was a great originality in the 15th century, since until then, alcohol was reserved for doctors, perfumers, and alchemists. The juxtaposition of the inventive spirit of the Gascons and their admirable eau-de-vie must have led, one can imagine, to a proliferation of family recipes, some of which were quite original.

CAP Vintage and its team are delighted to offer you this historic Monluc VSOP Armagnac from the world of Armagnac.

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