Castarède Vintage Bas Armagnac 1970 - Armagnac, France
Bin No. CAST1970
Price: £80.00
Armagnac brandy is crafted from white wines produced from white grapes with high acidity and a low alcohol content. These white wines are prepared in the most traditional fashion, without addition of sulphur or sugar. The distillation takes place over the winter (as soon as the fermentation has ceased), however, must be completed before March 31 of the year following the grape picking.
A special Armagnac still is used, the principal characteristic of which is that it is designed to function continuously. The resulting brandy corresponds to 52 - 60° (unlike Cognac, produced by double distillation or double heating - known as repasse, to produce brandy at 70° or more). As it leaves the still, the brandy is colourless and very aromatic. It needs contact with wood and numerous years of ageing to develop its full richness.
Ageing is one of the most important steps in the production of fine Armagnac and in achieving this two factors are extremely important - the cask used for ageing and the cellar itself. Firstly, the quality of the casks is dependent upon several factors, the skill of the cooper, the preparation of the wood and its origin. A Gascogne legend declares that the casks should be made from oaks that have watched the vines grow. Next, the quality (and more particularly the hydrometry) of the cellar is primordial. The drier the cellar, the more the Armagnac will itself be dried. The wetter the cellar, the more supple and round the brandy. As soon as the Armagnac has been distilled, it is placed in 400 litre oak casks. It is this contact between the brandy and the oak which forms the veritable basis of the Armagnac.
The House of Castarède, founded in 1832, is the oldest of all Armagnac trading houses.
Its prestige is based on its exceptional collection of vintage Armagnacs, which contains more than forty authenticated vintages - the oldest dating back from 1881 - crafted from the best products of the Bas Armagnac region and matured in cellars more than a hundred years old.
Today, Florence Castarède is responsible for this family heritage, combining ancient know-how acquired over six generations with new policy initiatives.
The 1970 Armagnac Castarède is made from a blend of the following grapes: 30% Colombard 20% Folle Blanche 50 % Ugni Blanc
This Armagnac distilled in 1970 has a very aromatic nose with hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate it is wonderfully well balanced with a light shade of vanilla and fine elegant fruit.
For more information visit their website by clicking here; Armagnac Castarede
Whitehaven wines was formed in 1993 by Greg and Sue White, and winemaker, Simon Waghorn. Their aim was to establish a winery in Marlborough producing premium quality varietal wines. To achieve this they have brought together a leading New Zealand winemaker, a dedicated group of growers, and a small modern winery facility where top quality fruit can receive the 'hands-on' treatment that i
