Ducastaing
Armagnac NV Ducastaing
Grand Armagnac, Basquaise, Bottle No. 27473, Distributed in Germany by Bachmann, Bremen
Provenance: Auctionata, 1/10/2017
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Some details: |
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Size | 70 cl |
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Vintage | Non-vintage |
Alcohol | 40.0 % |
Bottled | 1984 |
Fill level | High shoulder |
Region | Grand Armagnac |
Shape | Basquaise |
Armagnac
Armagnac is France's oldest and most prestigious wine-based eau-de-vie. In the 16th century, it was sold over the counter in pharmacies as a "medicine". Armagnac began to be aged in oak barrels in the 17th century. Nowadays, the Armagnac region can be divided into three production areas: Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac. Unlike Cognac, Armagnac is comprised of a broad palette of grape varieties, each very different, allowing for a very particular aromatic balance: Bacco adds to the wine's structure and lends it full-bodied, rich and dense aromas that require long ageing processes to fully express their roundness, smoothness and length on the palate. Folle Blanche, on the other hand, provides freshness and fruitiness in the first years of ageing. Ugni Blanc, ideal for distilling, as well as Colombard, are the final names on the region's list of most common grape varieties. When aged for 15 years or more, Armagnac displays flavours of hazelnut, orange peel, cocoa, and prunes combined with aromas of rose, verbena, leather, vanilla and even cinnamon. These Armagnacs are very dense and rounded and fully express their soil. After 25 years, Armagnacs lose their potency and mellow. Their original character gives way to oak barrel fragrances and their length on the palate becomes truly remarkable.
Ducastaing
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Ducastaing
There are no big names such as Hennessey or Remy-Martin when referring to Armagnac, so most are labeled with the Chateau of their production and stating the origin AOC region. Compagnie d'Armagnac Ducastaing produced this unique range. Armagnac is distilled at 40% ABV from Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Baco Blanc, and Colombard grapes and aged in oak barrels.

Value
Ducastaing is an Armagnac that is excellent value for money, accessible and affordable. Today Ducastaing is a subsidiary of La Martiniquaise, a leading player in Armagnac producing carefully-crafted top-of-the-range Armagnacs.

The Armagnac region
The old Ducastaing offers Armagnacs from all three AOC regions which imply that they did not have an own vineyard but acquired the grapes for their Eau de Vie from winegrowers all over the Armagnac region. The Armagnac region is located primarily in the Gers administrative department, but spreads into Landes (to the west) and Lot-et-Garonne (to the north).

Differences
Hence, this was the official "Armagnac" province that existed before the French Revolution. Today, the Armagnac production area is broken down into three sub-regions: Bas Armagnac, Armagnac-Tenareze and Haut Armagnac. There are subtle differences in the brandy produced in each sub-region, due mostly to the differences in soil and climate. Bas Armagnac, the westernmost of the three, generates the vast majority of Armagnac.