Laballe Bas Armagnac 12 Years Rich

Volume: 0.5 litres | Alcohol content: 44.2% | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Laballe Rich 12 combines at least twelve years of maturation in black oak casks from the Landes with a distinctly fruity character. The blend consists of 80% Ugni Blanc and 20% Baco. It originates in the sandy, loamy and clay-rich soils of the Sables Fauves in Bas-Armagnac.

Rich 12 is part of Collection 3-12-21, which explores different maturation periods and their effect on Armagnac. These bottlings retain their natural colour and alcoholic strength. Rich 12 is bottled at 44.2% in 0.5-litre bottles. Inspired by historic apothecary bottles, the design gives this traditional spirit a deliberately contemporary presentation.

Alongside candied fruit and honey, there are fresh fruit accents and more mature notes of dried mango and dates. Cask maturation gives the Armagnac structure without obscuring its fruitiness. It can be enjoyed neat, gently brought to room temperature, or as an accompaniment to a meal.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Candied orange and honey mingle with cedarwood and a light liquorice note. Juicy apple, caramelised nectarine, fresh flowers and oak add further layers.
• Palate: The Armagnac is full-bodied, rich and powerful on the palate. Fruit takes precedence over oak, while cask maturation provides structure. Grapes, apricots and dried mango are accompanied by dates, raisins, blossom honey and woody accents.
• Finish: Hazelnut comes to the fore in the long finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

The Laudet family has been producing wine and Armagnac in the Landes since 1820. Domaine de Laballe lies near Parleboscq, on the border between the Landes and Gers. Its 25 hectares sit on the Sables Fauves soils characteristic of the area. Cyril and Julie Laudet continue the family tradition in its eighth generation.

Laballe oversees production itself, from vineyard to bottle. Vinification takes place in concrete tanks, while distillation uses a wood-fired copper alambic armagnacais dating from 1947. The spirits then mature in black Gascon oak casks. Through Collection 3-12-21, Cyril and Julie Laudet also aim to introduce this approach to people discovering Armagnac for the first time.

Facts: