Chateau de Leberon Tenareze 1964 51 Year Single Cask Armagnac

About

The Château de Léberon is a stately mansion, listed among the Monuments Historiques.  Its construction started in the 13th century, when the ‘Hundred Years‘ War was raging across Gascony. The castle was then a medieval fortress with a building design typical of the Gascon castles of the day: square main body flanked by two round towers. At this time, the Lord of Léberon was very powerful, as witnessed by the walls of the Château’s chapel. Indeed, one can find there a double Litre, a very rare honorific pictorial work. Later during the Renaissance the castle changed appearances. Italian architects added several extensions to the building, they erected a spiral stair-case and opened up large mullion windows… One of these extensions reveals a remarkable framework resembling a reversed  boat hull.  Since then, its configuration has been made more welcoming and suitable for accommodation. At this time the agricultural property was already developing vineyards whose reputation would only improve. At the 17 th century, the Lord of Léberon, Louis XIV’s aide-de-camp, promoted the produce of his estate at the Court of Versailles. In the late 18th century, the old Château would gradually be abandoned. It was only to know its revival and its current aspect in 1939, when Osmin Rozès bought the property. A lot of important restoration work was then undertaken. Nowadays it remains the family home.

The vineyard of the Château de Léberon is benefiting from an exceptional microterroir: it has its roots plunging into the gritty sand of the alluvial deposits of the R iver Baïse’s terraces. Its soil is mixed with many pebbles that retain then transmit the warmth of the sun to the grapes. Its South-facing aspect is ideal. The vines coming from this land are producing very textured, aromatic fruit, with significant fatness. The Château’s vineyards are old. They are 40 years old on average, some more than 60 years old. Both the Ugni-Blanc and the Colombard varieties can be found on the property. Colombard Armagnac is rare and greatly prized as it is a grape that yields so-called ‘double-fin’, very pleasant whites. It is one of the most fruity vines, that produces brandies that will taste fresh and vital and mature into sturdy and powerful Armagnacs.

At the Château de Léberon we are keeping alive the memory of the place and its history. That memory is completely intact in our vintages. Each one gives back the memory of the year of its harvest and of the long maturing process that brought it to us. We have thus decided to offer nothing but vintage Armagnacs, following the pure tradition of Armagnac. We are selling them in cask strength editions only. No reduction-natural degree, no coloring, no addition of sugar or any other food additive that might ‘flatter the palate’ (as some would consider) but betray the identity of our terroir and despoil our exacting work. We only offer for sale Armagnacs over 20 years old.

The low season for Chateau de Leberon Tenareze 1964 51 Year Single Cask Armagnac was short, but hot and sufficiently dry, which allowed the harvest of excellent grapes. It was aged in 42 litre oak barrels called ‘pièces’, at the Chateau for 61 years, and bottled by hand at the property.

Tasting Notes

NOSE: Intense, candied fruit, stones, figs, walnuts.

PALATE: Rich, oily, old leather, earthy, dried fruit, touch of spice, complex.

FINISH: Long, elegant, structured, cigar box, touch of pepper.