ARMAGNAC XO MONLUC TENAREZE

Grape varieties: Ugni Blanc & Baco 22-A
Harvest years: 2013 / 2011
Aged in French oak barrels
40% VOL · 700 ML · Product of France

Appearance: Clear / Amber
Nose: Candied Fruits / Chocolate / Vanilla / Sandalwood
Palate: Candied Pear and Peach / Chocolate / Pipe Tobacco / Vanilla Sugar / Sandalwood Espelette Pepper
Tasting note: Silky with a beautiful juicy and peppery long 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 more than ten centuries. Already in the Neolithic era, thousands of years 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 early exchanges. A few tens of centuries later, the Romans developed viticulture, thus bringing wealth to this region which would become Gascony. In the medieval period, the Saracens passed through and introduced the alembic. Furthermore, the English, occupants driven out of Gascony in the 14th century, viewed the trade of Dutch merchants with great displeasure. Indeed, Dutch ships were only allowed to pass through Bordeaux – a city under English possession – and sail up the Garonne to load wines from Upper Gascony starting from the spring following the harvest. It was then already too late for many wines of that era, which, more or less well stored, did not have the patience to wait many months and were spoiled upon the arrival of the Dutch merchants. These 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 time onwards, in Armagnac, wine began to be distilled to produce a drinking alcohol. This was a great originality in the 15th century, as 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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