Chateau De Pellehaut 1990 Tenareze Armagnac

100% Ugni Blanc. In the glass this Armagnac shows a deep amber color with reddish-gold highlights, gently lightening at the rim. The nose shows notes of dried apricot, plums, candied orange, coconut milk, and baking spices. On the palate, the texture alone is soft and mouth-coating. Flavors of dried orange and dried stone fruits are joined by black pepper and savory herbs glide along the rich palate.  31 Years in oak. 47.5% ABV Charles Neal

This bottle was grown under the watchful eye of Gaston before his sons fully joined the business. It was from the excellent November 1990 distillation by Patrick Michalouski in one of his traveling column stills, exiting at 54% alcohol. The resulting spirit was initially put into a new 420-liter oak barrels made by the region’s top cooper Gilles Bartholomo. Unique versus many of their neighbors, at Pellehaut, spirits are left to age at their natural strength in barrels without the addition of any water or any other permitted additives. The impeccable aging of this Armagnac helps it remain youthful, even after over three decades in barrel. D&M