Loujan

Armagnac is France’s oldest brandy. Even to this day Armagnac remains a craft industry with small, artisanal producers using historic production methods and little or no advertising or international marketing. All Armagnac is produced in the Gascony region to the southeast of Bordeaux.

Loujan lies within the historical confines of the “Grand Bas Armagnac”. The temperate oceanic climate delivers mild winters, rainy springs, hot summers and a sunny autumn. The retreating ocean, has left behind an acidic, light and rich alluvial ‘tawny sand’. The Landes Forest is located close to the Bas-Armagnac vineyards, creating a natural barrier, thus, helping dramatically to regulate the temperature and rainfall. These climatic conditions and soil are a perfect match for producing fine brandy.

Loujan is traditionally distilled in a single continuous still known as an Alambic Armagnacais. This process of heating the wine until it produces steam, capturing the rich, full bodied aromas in a pure and unaltered fashion, then converting the steam to the final ‘Eau de vie”, is exactly what sets Armagnac apart from other fine brandies.

Armagnac is typified by its rich, full bodied characteristics, showing strong primary fruit. It is dominated by dried fruit flavours, with hints of vanilla, leather, almonds and hickory. Aromatics consist of  undiluted smokey and earthy overtones.

Each of these Lougan Bas Armagnacs were blended by Marc Darroze, of Armagnac Darroze.

Loujan Bas Armagnac 10 Year Old
60% Ugni Blanc, 40% Baco, from the 2000 and 2002 vintages at Loujan (90%) and neighbouring domains (10%). Aged in local French oak barrels for more than ten years and bottled at cask strength (48.1%). A favourite at Harrod's department store in London.

‘Golden color with chestnut highlights. On the nose, warm scents of candied citrus, overripe pear and quince give way on aeration to honey and precious spices. Magnificent. On the palate the attack is soft with silky tannins. The balance between aromas, tannins and alcohol is sensational. One discovers aromas similar to those on the nose such as quince, candied mandarin orange peel and even toasted almond oil. The finish is particularly long.’ Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

Loujan Bas Armagnac 12 Year Old
’Gold color with darker tints. Very fresh nose where the fruity flavors are dominant — orange peel, prune. The second nose is spicy showing some matured flavors like vanilla and honey. On the palate, the tannins are round and complex for an Armagnac of this age. It’s still very young (fruits, linden taste) but also mature and complex with a high quality of tannins.’ Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

Domaine Loujan Vintage 2000
80% Ugni Blanc, 20% Baco from the first vintage to be produced entirely at Domaine Loujan. Distilled in late October 2000, aged in local French oak barrels and estate-bottled at cask strength (46.5%).

Gold Medal, 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

‘Deep ginger/sorrel colour; immaculate purity. Wow, there’s a whole lot of sophisticated aromatic action taking place in the initial sniffs after the pour - walnut, beeswax, honey nut cereal, chocolate covered cherry, fig; second inhalations unearth vanilla bean, sawdust, wood plank, black pepper. Entry displays an abv warmth on the tongue that’s pleasing but neither hot nor aggressive, along with toasted, roasted flavours of BBQ sauce, port rind, grape preserves; mid palate echoes the entry and adds a nice touch of cocoa and dark chocolate that mingles well with the dried fruit aspect. Concludes long, peppery, totally dry, almost bitter-sweet and chewy in texture. What’s so pleasant about this Bas-Armagnac right now is the blend of youthful intensity and mature assurance and poise. Buy and lay down for another 8-10 years in cellar conditions. Further integration will, I bet, make it a five-star brandy. Consider this one an investment.’ 4 stars/Highly Recommended, F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal, June 2016.

’Beautiful clear gold color with amber highlights. On the nose this Armagnac has an aromatic complexity that only spirits of the highest quality possess: candied fruits (prune, quince and fig), spices (licorice, ginger bread) and toasted bread. Magnificent. These give way to aromas of walnuts, dark tobacco and leather. The tannic structure on the palate not only allows one immediate enjoyment of this Armagnac but it also lets one foresee its long ageing potential. Fruit aromas are still present (candied apricot, candied orange peel) though with delicate spices now showing through. Such is the richness of this Armagnac that it fills the whole mouth with waves of unending flavors.’ Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.