Darroze 40yo Les Grands Assemblages 43% (2021 bottling)

Les Grands Assemblages is one of the most famous core ranges of armagnacs, showcasing different decades through blends. This 40yo is made with Baco and Ugni Blanc. Let’s go!

Colour: Dark amber, orange highlights. Irregular, medium tears.

Nose: Sublime rancio with a delicate patina. Intense candied fruit notes: vine peach and plum. I was surprised by the freshness in the background, with hints of forest berries. Some similarities with certain Tavel rosé wines indeed (l’Anglore comes to mind). Touches of lychee too.

Palate: Ample texture, with leathery notes upfront. More roasted shades than the nose suggested: roasted coffee, dark chocolate, burnt tarragon. Nice attack, but I do miss a bit of length.

Last Notes: Heady dry floral notes, mainly potpourri. Tea-ish shades with delicate bergamot accents. Back on the palate, a few herbal notes appear, tarragon again, but also freshly cut basil.

A beautiful blend for sure. Still, I miss a bit of length and fun to be fully convinced.

My very subjective note: 87+/100