Chateau Laballe Bas Armagnac Resistance Baco

The Resistance is a special bottling close to Cyril Laballe’s heart, with the intention of showcasing the Baco grape. Until the late 1970s it was the prime grape used in the making of Armagnac, Ugni Blanc has usurped that position today, and wanting to remind us of it’s brilliance and importance he has created this unique bottling. Taking three years it is a blend of three distillations done in 2009, 2010 and 2012, all three eau de vies were put into 410Lt Chêne Noir Gascon barrels from Bartholomo (the last barrel maker in the Landes region) to develop sweetness and texture before being left to rest in older barrels. A highly balanced spirit with notes of apples, citrus, wood spice and a nice salty/smokiness. Fully present with great length the Resistance is something special indeed.

Now a little explanation on the name and label… named after the phylloxera-resistant Baco hybrid developed at the turn of the twentieth century. The illustration on the label is of the parasite that devastated French vineyards around this time. It is also a cheeky little flip off  to those who try to restrict the planting of Baco in the Armagnac region.

700ml // ABV 43%

Similar: Armagnac, Baco 22, France, Laballe