Bas Armagnac Artez
Artez is a small Armagnac producer who owns 12 hectares (30 acres) located in the Western part of the Bas Armagnac, also known as the First Cru.
Even though the eaux de vie have been produced at this distillery for many decades, a new owner took over the family business about 20 years ago. The uniqueness of Artez is to produce mostly
single varietals of Armagnacs, a very rare specialty which requires special skills from the distiller and blender.
About the products:
Vineyard location: a high, sun-bathed hill on the Western part of the Bas Armagnac.
Soil: iron-rich sands (sables fauves), which produce eaux de vie that are generally supple in their youth and show a great finesse.
Vines: the vines are about 40 years old and the vineyard is planted with Baco, Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche vines.
Production: about 40,000 bottles per year
Artez products are all natural with no sugar or caramel added.
Cocktail Recipes
Artez Folle Blanche Armagnac is featured in 3 vintage cocktail recipes from the Savoy Cocktail Book on the Savoy Stomp Blog:
- the Brandy Smash
- the Brandy Fix
- and the Mint Julep
For more recipes featuring Artez Armagnacs, visit our Recipes page.
Tasting Notes
Bas Armagnac Baco Napoleon
This Bas Armagnac is made from the hybrid clone of the Folle Blanche grape and an American grape called Noah. It was developed by French professor, Francois Baco after the phylloxera destroyed the whole Folle Blanche vineyard in France in 1862.
Nowadays, Baco covers only 10% of the total Armagnac vineyard, making Artez Armagnac Baco a very rare spirit.
This Napoleon is single distilled at the estate and put into oak barrel for 10 years minimum. It displays a robust middle palate, with flavors of pitted plum, dried apricot, quince and vanilla.
Learn more about Baco grapes.
REVIEWS
"91 points" (Cigar & Spirits Magazine)
92 points. "This tawny brandy, with orange highlights, benefits from some time in the glass. Silky and elegant, this has mild apricot, vanilla and nut flavors that stretch into the long, long finish. Pair with a rich dessert like bread pudding." (Wine Enthusiast, 2012)
Bas Armagnac Folle Blanche Napoleon
This Bas Armagnac is made from 100% Folle Blanche grape, which was the staple grape in Armagnac, France until the phylloxera destroyed the whole vineyard in 1862. Today, Folle Blanche represents
only 5% of the total Armagnac vineyard, making Artez Armagnac Folle Blanche a rare spirit indeed.
This Napoleon is single distilled at the estate and put into oak barrel for 10 years minimum. It displays floral aromatics typical of the grape varietal, white peach flower, dried apricot and
orange peel flavors.
Learn more about Folle Blanche grapes.
REVIEWS
"4 stars, Highly Recommended" (Paul Pacult, Spirit Journal, 2016)
"95 points. Superb!" (Wine Enthusiast, 2012)
"Finalist: 94 points. Excellent/Highly Recommended" (Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 2011)
Bas Armagnac Ugni Blanc Napoleon
This rare Bas-Armagnac is produced from historic Ugni Blanc grapes grown in the appellation's highly regarded "Golden Triangle." This is the grape varietal that producers in Armagnac and Cognac turned to following the phylloxera outbreak in 1862.
Today, Ugni Blanc remains the primary grape used in Armagnac. It is resistant to frost and diseases, and provides a good foundation for making a well-rounded and extremely pleasant Armagnac.
This Napoleon is single distilled at the estate and put into oak barrel for 10 years minimum. It marries a robust powerful nose with light floral aromatics and develops into rich vanilla flavor.
Bas Armagnac Vintage 1995
This Armagnac is produced in the Midour valley, in the heart of the Bas Armagnac, known for its soil of tawny sand, giving very supple and ripe spirits.
- 100% Baco - Old Vines
- Single Distilled at the estate
- Distilled in 1995. Bottled in 2017. 22 years old
- Bottled at Cask Strength, 46%
- 1200 bottles from Gascon oak barrel no. 5
4 Stars! Highly Recommended
"Chestnut / deep brown color; immaculately clean and pure. I like the opening aroma right away as it features rich grapy / white raisin, yellow plum, and baking spices (clove, cinnamon) fragrances in equal measure; more time in the glass allows the aroma to expand to include scents of baked banana, cherry strudel, and creme caramel dessert. Entry is tightly wound, lean, and acidic without an ounce of oaky lipids (fats) or resins showing, as the baked fruit aspects ascend, becoming more accentuated than in the bouquet; mid-palate echoes the entry findings, adding a heightened nuttiness that's more paste- and butter-like than candied. The deep-seeded nuttiness lasts long into the finish, providing a silky texture and razor-edged crispness that are beguiling and sensual. Even at 22 years and counting, it is clear that this Bas-Armagnac has lots of vibrancy to spare." (Paul Pacult, Spirit Journal, Dec. 2018)
Three Varietal Bas Armagnac Gift Set
An intriguing Bas Armagnac Napoleon varietal set, just in time for the beginning of the holiday season. From artisanal producer, Artez, the set features 200 mL bottles of each of his three Armagnac varietals: Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Baco.
Each Napoleon is single distilled at the estate and put into oak barrels for 6 years minimum. An ideal opportunity to discover the character which each unique grape varietal brings to the flavor profile of a traditional "varietal blend" Armagnac.
Aretz Arvani Vanilla Armagnac Liqueur
Armagnac with vanilla? Absolutely! Learn more here.
