Château Laballe Bas Armagnac 1973 elephant-in-the-room with a splash of Cabernet

with a splash of Cabernet Franc

The wine then ages for 24 months in French oak

These are wines as nature intended – pure and clean – crafted with just the gentlest touch from the winemaking team

just below Fussey at the border between the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and the Hautes Côtes de Nuits (on the Beaune side)

Château Laballe Bas Armagnac 1973 elephant-in-the-room with a splash of CabernetThe great spirit of Gascony has been made in this part of south west France for at least seven centuries, predating Cognacwhich is made in the Charente Valley three hours to the northby a century and a half. And yet, while the global appreciation of this rural spirit has long lagged behind its urbane (and well marketed) cousin, Cyril Laudet and his wife Julie are here to ensure that Armagnac is no longer content to quietly sit by and play second