Armagnac Laterrade - Bas-Armagnac - 1996 - Domaine de Marquet - Cask Strength - 40%
In Castandet, in the Landes, the Domaine de Marquet belongs to this rural landscape of Bas-Armagnac where the vine has long shared the land with mixed farming. The area is distinguished by its predominantly sandy and silty soils, shaped under an oceanic influence conducive to the production of fine and fruity eaux-de-vie. It is within these discreet estates that Vincent Laterrade conducts his research work, guided by his sommelier training and an intimate knowledge of the old Gascon cellars. The casks are selected for their own personality, without trying to fit them into a uniform house style. The name of the estate and the harvest year thus remain at the forefront, as the two essential markers of each vintage selection. This approach restores visibility to eaux-de-vie sometimes kept for many years away from the usual commercial circuits. Above all, it allows tasting an Armagnac for what it tells about its origin, its aging, and the balance achieved at the time of bottling.
This selection comes exclusively from the 1996 harvest of Domaine de Marquet and is not based on any blend between several vintages. Its evolution in wood has gradually softened the structure while shifting the fresh fruit towards riper, candied, and spiced tones. As the eau-de-vie exchanges with the cask and the atmosphere of the cellar, the aromas gain depth while the alcohol naturally loses some of its strength. The 40% degree here corresponds to the strength of the batch at the time of bottling, without reduction intended to artificially reach this value. This low natural strength gives the cask strength a particularly calm character, where texture and precision take precedence over warmth. The vintage nevertheless retains a sufficiently lively framework to avoid an expression that is too sweet or excessively marked by wood. It lies in a register of serene maturity, between the still perceptible fruit of Bas-Armagnac and the more polished nuances acquired during aging.
The color shows a coppery amber, bright on the edges and deeper in the heart of the glass. The nose begins with ripe plum, roasted pear, and quince paste, then opens towards hazelnut, wax, and dried mandarin peel. Notes of gingerbread, light cocoa, and blond tobacco then appear, accompanied by a discreet and well-integrated woodiness. The attack is soft, but the palate maintains a precise line that prevents the material from becoming heavy. The stewed fruits blend with roasted almond, cinnamon, and a touch of coffee, in a supple and delicately oily texture. The finish progresses with restraint on fresh walnut, candied zest, and a slight peppery sensation, without alcoholic harshness. This Bas-Armagnac can be enjoyed alone in a tulip glass or accompanied by a pear tart, a hazelnut dessert, roasted poultry with dried fruits, or a long-aged pressed cheese.
