1988 Labiette Castille Bas Armagnac, France

A vintage Armagnac from 1988

Labiette Castille Bas Armagnacs are produced on one of the most renowned single estates in the Bas Armagnac region and they’ve won over 200 awards in the last 30 years. The estate was first founded in 1898 by a powerful French statesman. In 1974, it was acquired by the Lesgourgues family that produces the revered Armagnacs to this day

Now, why is the 260-acres estate one of the most prestigious terroirs of the Armagnac AOC? It’s located right at the feet of the Pyrenees Mountains and it’s a mix of fawn-colored sands and clay. The vineyards grow all 4 traditional grapes - Ugni Blanc, Baco, Colombard and Folle Blanche - which is a rare practice today. The Lesgourgues family also makes sure the vineyard stays low yield and sustainable; a flock of 600 friendly sheep kindly takes care of organic fertilizing. A nearby oak forest provides wood for their casks. Oh, and the horse-riding figure on the label? It’s a tribute to the famous Musketeer of King Louis XIV of France, D'Artagnan, who was born in nearby Sorbets and was known for his bravery.

Labiette Castille Bas Armagnac 1988 is a millésime, which is a vintage Armagnac. This means that it was crafted from grapes, both harvested and distilled in a single year: in this case 1988. The thing about vintages is, each tells the story of that year’s climate, weather, the type of aging casks and of course, the skills of the Cellar Master. Judging on this round and supple expression, it seems 1988 was a good year for premium Armagnac.