Right now is all about Château Hontambère. This area is within the Ténarèze area and owns about 42 hectares of vineyards. It’s a comparatively younger vineyard (first manufacturing in 2008) however they’ve a big manufacturing of round 60-80 barrels per yr.
They’ve 4 grape varieties: Colombard for the reason that starting and later additionally Ugni Blanc, Baco and Folle Blanche. Gross sales are centered on the US however they’re now beginning to develop into identified in Europe as properly, with a wider vary than earlier than. For extra background info, test their web site.
Hontambère is providing its personal manufacturing, however in addition they have a Uncommon Armagnac Assortment, a sequence of outdated armagnacs acquired from different producers, a few of which now closed.
One factor I’m not very keen on is the truth that the unique producer is commonly hidden solely on armagnac bottlings. The Grape of the Artwork 1985 was acquired from the misplaced Pouchégu as an example, nevertheless it solely says Hontambère on the label. The identical goes for the 1982 we’re having immediately. Not solely an issue with Hontambère by the way in which, armagnac is simply not whisky in that sense. In case you’re carrying two hats (producer + bottler / négociant) issues ought to be extra clear, for my part.
Armagnac Hontambère 2013 Folle Blanche (49,8%, OB +/- 2024, cask #A24)
Nostril: near the wine, I’d say, with hints of grapes and mirabelles in addition to a lemony acidity. A brilliant spicy word too: gentle pepper, in addition to some aniseed and minty freshness. Then a refined nuttiness seems, totally on almond and caramelized peanuts.
Mouth: pretty candy and fruity, with a creamy texture and a pleasant stability. Hints of eau-de-vie of plums, with a peppery and virtually gingery kick. Nougat, hints of toffee, hazelnut and faint vanilla. Then refined natural notes, even a salty contact. General a bit spirity across the edges although.
End: medium size, on gentle oak spice.
Pretty youngish, not but within the territory that the majority unbiased bottlers are exploring. A really refined spirit however not very advanced. It’s lacking one key asset: time.
Armagnac Hontambère 2011 Baco (57,2%, OB +/- 2024, cask #TC9)
Nostril: a step up when it comes to richness and fragrant depth. Loads of apricots, with orange notes, stewed grapes and hints of quince jam. There’s a risky good layer of varnish and floral oak too. Then darkish honey and whiffs of vanilla pastry, in addition to a light peppery contact.
Mouth: fairly spherical and viscous, with among the fruits making a return. Jammy apricots and quince paste, with a number of drops of Triple Sec. Then extra honey, hints of marzipan and caramelized hazelnuts. A bit extra spiciness in the direction of the tip, primarily pepper in addition to a gin-like natural edge.
End: fairly lengthy, with lingering fruity notes and a spicy finale.
Not a lot older in reality, however extra to my liking. The elegant varnished nostril is actually good and it finds a pleasant stability between youthful energy and class. Rating: 87/100
Armagnac Pouchégu 41 yo 1982 Ugni Blanc (52,7%, Hontambère ‘Uncommon Assortment’ +/- 2024, cask #F2)
Nostril: now we’re speaking! This stunning varnished word once more, but in addition loads of juicy fruits. Cherries even (Maraschino but in addition bitter cherry jam) which I don’t discover usually in armagnac. Additionally apricot jam, pink plums, raisins and raspberries. Dried flowers. Hints of cigar bins, together with sandalwood or thuja, vanilla beans, candied pecans and lightweight minty notes. Refined hints of tobacco as properly, reminding me of an outdated Oloroso. Wonderful.
Mouth: it begins with related tart cherries, plums and juicy raisins, however the fruitiness turns into fairly tropical after some time. Assume pink grapefruit, perhaps mango. Then it develops extra spices, like nutmeg, cinnamon and liquorice wooden. Some tannin bitterness, certain (however lower than I anticipated), primarily sandalwood.
End: very lengthy, with tobacco and hints of leather-based, with extra of those juicy fruits all alongside.
I feel the cherry theme right here is spectacular. On the palate it’s clearly extra wood-influenced, nevertheless it blends unique wooden with tropical fruity hints in a really advanced and concentrated ensemble. Succulent armagnac – laborious to consider that is offered at below € 200. Rating: 92/100
