Marie Duffau Bas Armagnac
The Best-Selling Armagnac in the US
Born in 1875, Prosper Delord started the company as an itinerant distiller. He gained a reputation for his dedication and expertise by carting his traveling pot still around to the farms in the Bas Armagnac region. He later married Marie Duffau and in 1925, they officially founded the company with their son Gaston and established the business as a permanent site in Lannepax.
The Armagnacs were sold under the two names, Delord or Marie Duffau, each named taken from a Grandmother of the family. Today, great grandsons Jérôme and Sylvain carry on the same tradition, having established a reputation for quality that is unsurpassed.
Owners of a prime 66 hectare vineyard in the heart of the Bas Armagnac, (widely known as the 1st Cru), they have been distilling, ageing and blending their eaux-de-vie the exact same way their great grandfather did.
Their ageing cellars contain Armagnacs dating back to 1904. When touring the distillery and ageing cellars, it feels as if time has stopped and you almost expect to see grandfather Prosper coming around the corner pulling his itinerant pot still with the help of his two cows. Even though the company’s main business name is still Delord, they have always been selling under both names Delord or Marie Duffau.
Vineyards
Owners of a prime 66 hectares (163 acres) of vineyards Lannepax in the heart of the Bas Armagnac, (widely known as the 1st Cru), of which 6 hectares (about 14 acres) are organic. All year round, Rinaldo, the vineyard manager, takes the greatest of care of the vines throughout their development. They use no pesticides or fertilizers.
Grapes
Use of high quality fruit, harvested from the best sandy soils of the Bas Armagnac.
A good use of the grape varietals:
70% Ugni blanc (gives a good foundation)
20% Baco (gives roundness)
5% Colombard (herbal aromas)
5% Folle Blanche (floral notes)
Winemaking
Sylvain looks for an aromatic wine that is slightly acidic and low in alcohol which is the ideal wine for the distillation employing exact temperature control, must settling and racking techniques.
Single Distillation
The distillation, an essential and fascinating step in the creation of Armagnac takes place in the heart of winter.
A particularly slow single distillation process.
A distillation at low temperature (around 52 to 58 degrees), which enables more flavors, fatty acids and character to remain in the spirit.
One of the only Armagnac houses to use the two methods of distillation; the continuous distillation method that is typical for Armagnac and the double distillation, primarily used for the Blanche Armagnac
Two Armagnac alambics, one of which is a “Sier” dating from 1900, are both column stills equipped with particular plates called “spider plates,” which are ideal for the production of old Armagnacs.
Aging
Use of 10% Gascon oak to give good tannins, darker color and beautiful spices.
More aging than required by law.
Delord’s cellars contain more than 1000 barrels and a dozen oak tanks that age and protect the Armagnac eaux-de-vie which date from the 20th century to the present day.
The oldest vintages are kept in Bonbonnes (glass jars) away from the light, in a room called the Paradise.
Bas Armagnac Napoléon
Tasting Highlights
Flavors of cocoa, orange rind, cake batter and vanilla. Soft tannins on the finish and a touch of rancio to come. Min. 6 years old.
Reviews
Gold Medal (Bartender Spirits Awards 2023)
90 points
"Rich brown sugar is complemented by toasty baking spice on nose and palate. Each sip trails off into vanilla bean and cocoa powder, plus a final dusting of hot spices. Best Buy." (Wine Enthusiast, 202)
“Let’s keep this little gem a secret among ourselves, shall we? This is a lovely, reasonably priced Armagnac from Maison Delord that blends Armagnac from both column and charentais stills, giving this youngster an unexpected weight and roundness. An unmistakably spicy, yeasty nose is typically Armagnacais, with pineapple, raisins, molasses, dried herbs and oak vanillins taking their turns on the palate of this little pleaser. A flavour bomb of fresh oak that offers value for money and a worthwhile detour for bored bourbon fans.” (Distilled. Magazine)
92 points: "Excellent, Highly Recommended" (Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2011 & 2012)
“...creamy textured and semi sweet....” Five Stars, Highly Recommended / Best Buy (P. Pacult, Spirit Journal)
Top 50 Best Buy Spirits 2006 & 2007. "Highly Recommended / 90-95 / Best Buy" (Wine Enthusiast)
Bas Armagnac Hors d’Age
Tasting Highlights
Rich flavors of toffee, old oak, pitted plum and raisins; elegant rancio and long round finish. Min. 12 years old.
Reviews
Chairman's Trophy, 97 points, Great Value
“12 years of age have tamed this brandy’s rough edges resulting in a rich, toffee-laden spirit with hints of baked citrus delightful to sip on its own and arguably the best partner for chocolate toned desserts.” (Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2019)
4 stars, Highly Recommended
”Sienna color; ideal purity. Initial whiffs pick up BBQ sauce, tomato paste, red cherry compote, white raisins, and black peppercorn; secondary inhalations find an oakier bouquet, one that's piquant with baking spices (allspice, nutmeg) and dried fruits (dates especially). Entry is supple in texture, zesty from the peppercorn aspect, nicely woody / sap-like, and akin to holiday fruitcake elements, especially the candied nuts and dried pineapple; midpalate echoes the entry impressions while adding a touch of cola nut for balance. Aftertaste highlights the cola nut, the Dr. Pepper aspects, turning semisweet. This Bas-Armagnac has lots of moving parts that get into sync in the finish. (Paul Pacult, The New Kindred Spirits 2021)
94 points (Wine Enthusiast, 2012)
"Ultimate Recommendation, 95 points" (Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2010)
"Top 10 Best Armagnacs" (Wine Enthusiast, 04/2007)
Marie Duffau Cocktails
Delord Bas Armagnac
Born in 1875, Prosper Delord started the company as an itinerant distiller. He gained a reputation for his dedication and expertise by carting his traveling pot still around to the farms in the Bas Armagnac region.
Delord Floc de Gascogne
The traditional aperitif of the Gascogne region, Floc is a blend of local sweet grape juice and Armagnac. Its production is protected and overseen under an AOC or Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, ensuring Floc meets the highest standards.
Press
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The Other Brandy: Why You Should Explore Armagnac
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The original drink, which earned Maud Loty first place in a 1929 celebrity cocktail competition, took its name from a revue staged the same year, penned for her by Cocktails de Paris author Rip. It translates to, “And me, I’d tell you … Maud,” but conversationally, it can be understood as “That’s Maud for ya.”
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