MARQUIS DE MONTESQUIOU - Napoleon

Details

Description:
Mostly Ugni Blanc with some Folle Blanche, two-thirds grown on sandy soil in Bas-Armagnac which produces brandies with aromas of prunes and one-third on chalky-clay soil in Tenareze which has aromas more reminiscent of violets.

Supple on the palate with strong flavours of peaches and apricots ending with woody and vanilla hints and a slight animal flavour.

Producer: Marquis de Montesquiou
ABV: 40%
Country of Origin: France
Region: Armagnac

Category(s): Armagnac
Group(s): Bas Armagnac

Pricing

Size	Availability	Price	Unit Price	Buy	Desire
70cl Bottle	Immediate	£ 30.89		Add to Basket	Add to WishList
6x 70cl Bottles	Immediate	£ 173.95	£ 28.99	Add to Basket	Add to WishList

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3 Products From this Producer

Product	Availability	Size	Price
MARQUIS DE MONTESQUIOU - 21 Year Old Hors d'Age	09th Oct 2008	70cl Bottle	£ 46.49
MARQUIS DE MONTESQUIOU - Imperial XO	Immediate	70cl Bottle	£ 45.49
MARQUIS DE MONTESQUIOU - Napoleon	Immediate	70cl Bottle	£ 30.89

Producer Information

Marquis de Montesquiou is the leading international premium Armagnac which traces its origins back to the 11 th century. The Montesquious, Counts of Armagnac were renowned for their exemplary service to France and the most celebrated of them d'Artagnan, was a captain and commanding officer of the First Company of Armagnac Musketeers, the Musketeers of the King of France.
Proudly situated on a ridge overlooking the Douze valley, the Chateau d'Armagnac is the focal point of the Marquis de Montesquiou's domaine. Since the 12 th century, its walls have been a majestic part of the local scenery overlooking its 89 hectares (220 acres) of vineyards in the Bas-Armagnac region. The main grapes grown on the estate are Ugni Blanc known for its acidity and freshness which make it particularly well adapted to distillation and Folle Blanche which produces a marvellously delicate and fragrant brandy. Folle Blanche is increasingly rare nowadays because of its sensitivity and often weak yields but the taste is unequalled.
Harvesting takes place each year in October and the grapes are fermented on the lees in traditional cellars without any oenological additives to produce wine between 8 to 10% proof which is ideal for distillation.
The art of extracting alcohol from the wines while preserving the 'bouquet' is essential to establish the specific character and taste of Armagnac . The process begins as soon as fermentation has stopped in November and has to be completed by midnight on 31st March. At Marquis de Montesquiou distilling takes place as soon as possible in order to preserve the fragrances and aromas.
Chateau d'Armagnac is one of the few domaines to have its own still which produces a clear very fragrant spirit between 55% and 58% proof. To develop its full potential the Armagnac is aged in wood taking its nourishment from the wood tannins and its aromatic components (vanilla, dried fruits, pepper..). From being a transparent liquid initially, the Armagnac evolves as the years go by into a smoother spirit with shades of deep and intense amber. New wooden barrels are used for the first 6-7 months and the Armagnac is then poured into older barrels (4 to 5 years old) whose tannins are almost all dissolved. During this slower maturation period, the Armagnac gradually loses some of its alcohol due to evaporation so that after 10 years it is estimated that up to a quarter of its volume and 8 to 9 degrees of the alcohol is lost. Thanks to this phenomenon known as 'The angel' share', the aromatic qualities of the Armagnac become more concentrated and it develops its delicious rich flavours.
Over 1,600 barrels of Armagnac are stored at the Marquis de Montesquiou cellars in Eauze which is affectionately know as the 'cathedral'. Finally the Armagnac is blended before bottling by our Cellar Master who selects them for their complementary qualities or, in exceptional years Vintages Armagnacs are bottled with the date of the harvest on the label. These are great bottles appreciated by connoisseurs.