Chateau de Leberon Solera Armagnac France 2001 (700ml)

Style: Armagnac Brandy

Producer: Château Léberon

Grapes: Ugni Blanc and Colombard

Where: Armagnac

Country: France

Taste: Full-bodied and vibrant, with notes of stewed fruit and fruit compote, marrying quince, fig and dried apricot, and a good helping of oak on the finish.

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The youngest Armagnac in this blend spent 3 years in an oak barrel. The oldest spent 20 years in an oak barrel. Perhaps the first of its kind from this region, created through dynamic aging, this solera dates back over 20 years now. Every year a maximum of 10% is bottled and fresh three year old brandy is added to keep the cycles going in perpetuity, with slight changes in profile along the way. The natural balance is striking making the deep mature flavors very approachable. This Single Cask Solera Armagnac is a blend. 

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The Rozès family has owned Château de Léberon since 1939, when Osmin Rozès purchased the property. The estate is now run by Caroline and Sophie, the fourth generation of Armagnac producers. Château Léberon was originally a medieval fortress built in the fourteenth century. Being in the southwest of France, it was largely spared the ravages of World War and survive to become a stately mansion when purchased by Osmin Rozès in 1939. After restoring the home, he and his children planted grape vines — including Ugni Blanc and Colombard. A few of those original vine survive to this day, but the average age of the vines in more than forty years. The family produces a range of highly-prized, vintage Armagnacs.

What is a Solera?

The real magic in the production of Sherry happens in what's called the solera system - an innovative method of fractional blending in which younger wine is blended with older wine to ensure a consistent product from year to year. The younger wine serves to refresh and awaken the older wine, while the older wine enhances the depth and quality of the younger wine. Thus, with the exception of a handful of single barrels pulled from the solera, there really is no "vintage Sherry"