Vieil Armagnac Baron Gaston Legrand 1940
DESCRIPTION
The Story
Founded over a century ago in Lannepax, in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, Maison Baron Gaston Legrand embodies the noblest soul of Gascony. This 1940 vintage, hand-distilled and aged for nearly a century in oak barrels, bears witness to an unaltered expertise. Since 1998, the Lhéraud family has perpetuated this rare heritage, safeguarding a collection of historic vintages that make every bottle a true piece of history.
The Vinification
The 1940 vintage was carefully distilled according to the traditional low-proof method, allowing the finesse of the fruit and the natural aromatic complexity to be preserved. Aged extensively in Gascon oak barrels, the aging ensures progressive micro-oxygenation, softening the tannins and enriching the aromatic profile. Interactions with the wood develop woody, vanilla, and sweet spice notes, while retaining the freshness and balance of the eau-de-vie. This meticulous vinification allows this vintage to acquire exceptional depth, roundness, and harmony.
The Tasting
This Vieil Armagnac presents a deep and luminous amber color. The nose unveils complex aromas of candied fruits, prune, vanilla, and honey, supported by subtle nuances of spices and wood. On the palate, the eau-de-vie is both round and structured, offering a silky texture and remarkable aromatic richness. The finish is long, elegant, and persistent, highlighting the perfect balance between power and delicacy. A rare vintage that perfectly illustrates the soul of Bas-Armagnac and the French art de vivre.
Region
Nouvelle Aquitaine
Gascony, a historic territory in southwestern France spanning the Gers, Landes and Lot-et-Garonne, is the birthplace of Armagnac, France's oldest eau-de-vie. This exceptional spirit, crafted since the 14th century, embodies the soul and tradition of this region with its strong character.
Armagnac is divided into three distinct appellations: Bas-Armagnac, the noblest cru with sandy-clay soils (sables fauves) that impart finesse and elegance; Ténarèze, whose clay-limestone soils produce powerful and structured armagnacs; and Haut-Armagnac, with harder clay-limestone soils. These terroirs rest on the Lannemezan alluvial fan, formed from Pyrenean erosion, creating ideal conditions for exceptional eaux-de-vie.
Traditionally distilled in a continuous still at low proof and aged in Gascon or Limousin oak barrels, Armagnac develops a harmonious aromatic palette: plum, prune, candied fruits, walnuts, vanilla, honey, spices, tobacco and noble rancio. Gascony perpetuates an ancestral savoir-faire producing expressive, elegant armagnacs, true witnesses of time and Gascon tradition.
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This 1940 possesses exceptional richness and harmony. The nose is complex, mingling candied fruits, prune, vanilla, and honey. The palate is round and structured, offering a silky texture. Long, elegant, and persistent finish, perfectly balancing power and delicacy.
Vieil Armagnac Baron Gaston Legrand 1940, Rare and Refined Vintage - Vinodelice