Domaine Loujan: Vintage 2000

The Domaine Loujan Vintage 2000 is our first bottling of Armagnac produced entirely at Domaine Loujan. The year 2000 not only began the millennium and was the first year we owned Domaine Loujan, but it was also a wonderful year for grapes in the Armagnac region both in terms of the quality and quantity. Produced from 80% Ugni Blanc grapes and 20% Baco grapes, the Vintage 2000 was distilled in late October 2000 before being aged and estate bottled at cask strength (currently 46.5% alcohol). We are proud to note that the Domaine Loujan 2000 was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the most respected and influential sprits competition in the world and was a "Highly Recommended" in F Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal (June 2016)

Tasting Notes

• F Paul Pacult's,

  Deep ginger/sorrel color; immaculate purity.Wow, there's a whole lot of sophisticated aromatic action taking place in the initial sniffs after the pour- walnut, beeswax, honey nut cereal, chocolate covered cherry, fig; second inhalations unearth vanilla bean, saw-dust, wood plank, black pepper. Entry displays an abv warmth on the tongue that's pleasing but neither hot nor aggressive, along with toasted, roasted flavors of BBQ sauce, pork rind, grape preserves; midplate echoes the entry and adds a nice touch of cocoa and dark chocolate that mingles well with dry fruit aspect. Concludes long, peppery, totally dry, alomost bitter-sweet and chewy in texture. What's so pleasant about this Bas-Armagnac is the blend of youthful intensity and mature assurance and poise. Buy and lay down for another 8-10 years in cellar conditions. Further integration will, I bet, make it a five-star brandy. Consider this one an investment.

• Marc Darroze-Armagnac Darroze,

  "Beautiful clear gold color with amber highlights. On the nose this Armagnac has an aromatic complexity that only spirits of the highest quality possess: candied fruits (prune, quince and fig), spices (licorice, ginger bread) and toasted bread. Magnificent. These give way to aromas of walnuts, dark tobacco and leather.
  The tannic structure on the palate not only allows one immediate enjoyment of this Armagnac but it also lets one foresee its long ageing potential. Fruit aromas are still present (candied apricot, candied orange peel) though with delicate spices now showing through. Such is the richness of this Armagnac that it fills the whole mouth with waves of unending flavors."

Loujan Bas Armagnac

As we waited for the Armangac distilled from our grapes at Domaine Loujan to age, we purchased older stocks of Armagnac from neighbors, blended that Armagnac and aged them further at Domaine Loujan.

Any Armagnac that was not produced entirely entirely from grapes grown at Domaine Loujan has been bottled labelled "Loujan Bas Armagnac." The Vintage 1979 Loujan Bas Armagnac was named the "Best Armagnac" and the "Best Brandy" at the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Loujan Bas Armagnac 17 year old received a Gold Medal at that same competition. We are currently offering a range of three bottlings of Loujan Bas Armagnac — 10 year old, 20 year old and 30 year old.

Loujan Bas Armagnac: 10 Year Old

All of the Armagnac in the Loujan Bas Armagnac 10 year old has been aged in local French oak barrels for more than ten years. Almost 90% of it was distilled from grapes grown at Domaine Loujan in 2000 and 2002 and the remainder was purchased from neighboring domaines and aged even longer in oak. It was produced from approximately 60% Ugni Blanc and 40% Baco grapes and is bottled at cask strength (currently 48.1% alcohol). We have been informed that it is a favorite at the famous Harrod's department store in London.

Tasting Notes

• Marc Darroze-Armagnac Darroze,

  Golden color with chestnut highlights. On the nose, warm scents of candied citrus, overripe pear and quince give way on aeration to honey and precious spices. Magnificent. On the palate the attack is soft with silky tannins. The balance between aromas, tannins and alcohol is sensational. One discovers aromas similar to those on the nose such as quince, candied mandarin orange peel and even toasted almond oil. The finish is particularly long.

Loujan Bas Armagnac: 20 Year Old

All of the Loujan Bas Armagnac 20 year old has been aged in local French oak barrels for more than 20 years and two-thirds of it for more than 30 years. Produced from grapes grown on neighboring domaines, it was blended, aged further and estate bottled at Domaine Loujan. It is composed of spirits distilled from 84% Baco grapes and 16% Ugni Blanc grapes and is bottled at cask strength (currently 45.4 % alcohol).

Tasting Notes

• Marc Darroze-Armagnac Darroze,

  "Chestnut color with lighter highlights. Clear. A classic nose for a 20 year old Armagnac with prunes and figs accompanying walnuts, almonds and gingerbread later giving way to woodier notes similar to bitter licorice, acacia or cocoa.
  On the palate the richness is remarkable. High quality tannins give structure to this Armagnac which once in the mouth just won't let you go. Of a mind blowing length this Armagnac is a powerful bomb that on explosion reveals only softness, sweetness and depth of character. Magnificent."

Loujan Bas Armagnac: 30 Year Old

All of the 30 year old Loujan Bas Armagnac has been aged in local French oak barrels for more than 33 years. It was distilled from grapes harvested in the years 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 on two neighboring domaines before being blended, aged further and estate bottled at Domaine Loujan. Produced entirely from Baco grapes, it is bottled at cask strength (currently 44.5 % alcohol).

Tasting Notes

• Marc Darroze-Armagnac Darroze,

  The nose of this 30 year old Armagnac takes us on a voyage around the world: to Asia for its spices (cloves, cinnamon and pepper), to northern Africa for its candied fruit (apricots and dates), to the dark tobacco fields of India or into the coffee roasting houses of Brazil or Colombia. What a journey!
  And the sensorial imagination continues thanks to the incredible balance in the mouth. High quality tannins with the alcohol blended into the whole and subtle aromas of gingerbread, toffee, walnut oil and sticks of licorice. Lovely length.