Chateau De Briat Hors d'age

Chateau De Briat Hors d'age Armagnac

Grapes - 75% Bacco, 15% Folle Blanche, and 10% Colombard

ABV - 44%

Color: 

Tigers Eye

Copper and water

Nose:

Carmel Sting
Graham Cracker
Brittle
Aged Thin Barn

Tasting Notes:

Cabin
Trellis
Wooden Bucket
Hints of Citrus & Cinnamon
Light Bronze
New Library

Finish:
Nest/Bushel
Candy Ring

Tasted while on a trip to Napa, in this little bar underneath the Goose & Gander restaurant in St. Helena. Notes were jotted down at the scene of the crime (after a day of wine tasting), thus why they are a bit more obscure. Aged 12 years. This armagnac was well worth trying, however not worth buying.

I will rate this one 15/20

Domaine du Tariquet 15-Year-Old Bas Armagnac

Domaine du Tariquet 15-Year-Old Bas Armagnac

Grapes -  100% Folle Blanche

ABV - 47.2%

Color: 

Light Sap

Dark Peach

Nose:

Dried Lilac (and other flowers)

Manuka Honey

Candied Walnut

Tasting Notes:

Green Apple

Burnt Molasses

Bee Pollen

Earthy Vanilla

Finish:

Cinnamon 

Branches

Fir Spice

Sweet Fur

A vibrant, sizzling sensation of flavors hits you quickly, unlike most other armagnacs I have tried, (which usually appear softer and muddier). Many have said that Tariquet's cask strength expressions have strong similarities to scotch and bourbon, and I agree. Perhaps a good stepping stone for those who want to venture into Gascogne. A good dram to have if you want to feel the honey bee buzz (all the way down your esophagus). 

I will rate this one 17/20

Ogier Éclats Calcaires Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011

Ogier's Éclats Calcaires Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011

A bottle that I brought back from my recent trip to southern France. There, I was fortunate to dip into many different local producers. I don't believe this was necessarily local to the area in which I was staying (near Cavaillon), but definitely in the ballpark. Ogier released four "terroir" wines, each grown in a different type of soil. Éclats Calcaires developed in limestone.

Grapes -  95% Grenache, 5% other Châteauneuf varieties

ABV - 15%

Tasting Notes:

Peeled Orange

Thin Wet Gravel

Pressed Raspberry

Cherries

Dry Moss

Dust

Pure, Light Spices




Enjoyed With:
John Dubstable

Not a remarkable wine on its own, a bit too bright and spicy for me. However, sings wonderfully when paired with hard Spanish or French cheese, or a Rib Eye Steak. 

I will rate this one 16.5/20

Cards on the table: I gave it an extra point or two due to the sentimental value of bringing it with me on the plane.