1974 Francois Darroze Domaine de Lamarquette Bas Armagnac (700ml)

Bottled in 2014, the 1974 Domaine Lamarquette is a true 40 year old expression in its anniversary year, and a must for Brandy purists.

Francois and Marc Darroze are the watchful and patient custodians of 250 different Armagnacs, including more than 50 vintages (spanning a century), sourced from over 30 properties in the small, western portion of the Bas-Armagnac region, historically referred to as Grand Bas-Armagnac. Little surprise then that uber critic Robert Parker named Marc’s father, Francois, “the Pope of Armagnac”.

The Armagnacs of Francois Darroze are an exercise in the pure art of distillation and elevage with their vintage bottlings, or “Unique Series” presenting unadulterated, single estate, single barrel expressions from some of the world’s greatest Brandy terroirs.

Grapes are harvested in October, with fermentation allowed to occur naturally, without cultured yeasts or other additives. Distillation holds to the oldest traditions of Gascogne; continuous distillation at the individual Domaines through a mobile Alambic to 53% ABV. All distillation is completed before the end of February.

Elevage takes place in traditional Monlezum (the “black Oak” from the Landes of Gascony) Oak pieces of 400 litre capacity. Brandies spend around 10 to 12 Years in new wood before being transferred to older oak for the remainder of their maturation. The aeration inherent in this transfer is crucial to the maturation process, as Darroze Armagnacs are bottled pure and at natural cask strength - no water, no sugar syrup, no boise (an oak additive), no caramel.

The 1974 Domaine Lamarquette Grand Bas Armagnac from Francois Darroze is distilled from 100% Baco, something that has become a specialty of Darroze in a landscape where Baco has given way to earlier maturing, softer brandies of Foille Blanche, Ugni Blanc and Colombard. Marc Darroze states “The Baco takes a predominant position, particularly in the Bas-Armagnac. It contributes to the structure of our alcohols and gives full, rich and weighty aromas that require a long ageing in order to express all their roundness, full mellow flavours and length in the mouth…. this variety [along with Folle Blanche] is part of the cultural heritage of Armagnac.”

No tasting notes available.