Chateau Du Busca 1991 Tenareze Armagnac

Amber golden with swirling aromas of spice. Rounded warmth on the palate, showing leather, followed by cocoa on the finish, leaving you with a mouthful of silky aromatic flavors.  Importer Notes

Château du Busca is one of the oldest domaines in Armagnac. The château itself dates from 1649, built by a Condom lawyer family. It is the most beautiful 17th century of the whole region built on the top of a hill using the remnants of a 11th century fortified castle and its church which has been transformed in a chapel to which was added a 17th century entrance. In the crypt under the altar are the tombs of the founders as well as the current owners. It is the « little » Versailles castle magnificently restored in King Louis 14th style with some additions under Louis 15th and 16th The current owners, the noble De Ferron family, have been in charge of the chateau and estate since 1806. The estate comprises 495 acres. The original distillery is still there, although now the wines are distilled by a roving distiller who pulls in December and remains there as long as there is wine to be processed. The barrels are coopered from oak of the region.

Tenarèze is, compared to Bas Armagnac, a smaller growing region with very specific characteristics. Its soils consist of limestone and clay with a thin top soil, very similar to the soils we find in Grande Champagne in Cognac. Naturally Ugni Blanc are the best grapes and the wines are light and delicate in taste with high acidity. The eaux-de-vie need much longer aging than any other ones from the whole Armagnac regions in order to come to full maturity

The Armagnacs are strong in character, powerful, full bodied, lush in their texture, spicy mixed with dried plum flavors. None of the children from the current owners, the De Ferron family will be taking over and the Château has been for sale for a number of years. The vines are still in production but the wines are no more distilled at the Château and are mixed unfortunately with others and distilled elsewhere. Should an investor finally comes up, I am sure that the production will be resumed but they will have no old inventory. Alain Royer, Importer