Domaine Hourtica 1980 Vintage Armagnac, Bas Armagnac 47%

Description

Domaine Hourtica 1980 Vintage Armagnac is a single vintage, single estate Armagnac. Domaine Hourtica is owned and run by Marthe Tarbe and has been owned by the Tarbe family for over a century. The estate is located on the Route de Lannemaignan in the commune of Labastide-D’Armagnac in Bas Armagnac. Bas Armagnac is lower lying than the other sub-regions (hence its name). and is often considered to be the best area for Armagnac. The location of the vineyards, shaded by ancient oak trees, and terroir offer the perfect conditions for producing Armagnac from the Baco grape. They family actually grows Baco with some Colombard and Folle Blanche but, for their own products, Domaine Hourtica use 100% Baco. Once distilled the colourless spirit is aged in 420 litre oak barrels. It is here, in barrel, that the Armagnac leaches vanillins and tannins from the toasted oak which lend the spirit colour and flavour. The depth of colour and complexity of flavour increase all the time the spirit is aged in cask, the colour can can range from pale straw to rich amber. Part of the alcohol evaporates naturally during the long years in cask – this is known as “la part des anges” (the angel’s share). The superb climate, clay and sandy soil combined with generations of expertise mean that these are truly exquisite examples of vintage Armagnacs. A rich and fully rounded Armagnac from a small old fashioned farm in the Bas Armagnac.