Château de Laubade VSOP Bas-Armagnac

Looking for something in the brandy world, found this at our local Total Wine. My high mark is for Remy Martin VSOP just to expose my biases. The nose is fabulous but that pretty much describes brandy with the possible exception of the Calvados I've tried. I love it when there is a profound pear note on the nose followed by a creamy texture and this one has that. There' a touch of caramel a layer down. This one seems a little hot for 80 proof but maybe it's because I am sipping it with a bowl of fresh apple crisp. I do like the contrasting tartness but I prefer more depth of flavor. Guess I am still on Remy but Martell is really nice too

An elegant Armagnac by the Lesgourgues family in Gascogne, France made with a blend of Baco, Colombard, Folie Blanche & Ugne Blanc; harvested, vinified, distilled & matured 6 to 12 years in Gascony oak casks by vintage; until it is blended & bottled at 40% ABV. in October 2020. It has an aromatic birth with notes of tree fruits, flowers, nuts & spices; while a rich & warm life adds hints of apricot, apple, peach, orange, passion fruit, fig, vanilla, nougat, bittersweet chocolate & violets; that led to a long & balanced death with hints of campfire, cinnamon. clove, cedar, cigar & oak. March 2021

It has those characteristic Brandy flavors with present charred wood and red fruit. The red fruit does not overwhelm, but it is a bit much. There is a fullness to the flavor and some spiciness. The flavor does change a bit on the way to the finish with light caramel coming out at points before a tart finish. It reminds me of Remy Martin 1738 mixed with Symbole National and just a little bit of unwanted cherry from A De Fussigny Selection. The creamy smoothness is the real selling point here and I can see myself sipping it on occasion. The flavors are good, but nothing too amazing.

Pears and vanilla frosting nose. Pears and red grapes. Dryness clings to the jowls. Youthful wood and a hint of ethanol. Light body with slight heat.

1989. $16 in Canada

Tastes like oak