Grape of the ART Cutxan 2006 50,5%

This 15yo armagnac has been selected by L’Encantada in the small bas-armagnac estate of Cutxan and bottled at 50,5% for the German IB Grape of the Art. 

Colour: Dark orange, gold lights. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Full of toffee and cocoa powder notes at first, but this powerful Cutxan (50,5%) needs to breathe a bit right now. Lingering oaky notes on roasted walnut and coconut powder. A tad of floral scents on lemon tree flower and rosewater with 10 more minutes in the glass.

Mouth: A very oily texture and a fruity welcome on tangerine marmalade and bitter chocolate. A yummy palate that evolves on dried banana and cocoa aromas. Just a little astringence on tannins in the aftertaste that is hiding a bit of the whole richness and fat, but it remains well-balanced.

Last Notes: Full of coconut powder and varnish wood scents with more air. Still some fruity shades on orange peel marmalade and poached pear. Great nougat sweets notes underlined by a sweet caramel touch. Back on the palate, you find this caramel touch again, immediately followed by dark chocolate aromas. It ends with a great mouth length on bourbon vanilla and coffee beans notes.

An easy and powerful armagnac. A little lack of elegance and a tad too oaky, but this Cutxan 2006 remains a very yummy one.