Château de Laubade: Masters of Bas Armagnac
Established in 1870, Château de Laubade is a historic estate located in Sorbets, Gers, in the heart of the renowned Bas Armagnac region. Covering 105 hectares of gently sloping vineyards around the château, the estate is recognized for its commitment to producing high-quality Armagnac. Currently led by Denis Lesgourgues and his siblings Jeanne and Arnaud, Château de Laubade balances traditional techniques with sustainable practices to craft Armagnac celebrated worldwide.
Vineyard and Sustainability Practices
The estate’s vineyards sit on tawny sand and sandy clay soils, ideal for producing complex Bas Armagnac. The Lesgourgues family has embraced a sustainable model, prioritizing natural pest control and promoting biodiversity through green manures and mechanical weeding. They also maintain a flock of 600 sheep to generate organic fertilizer and have planted 15 hectares of Gascony oak and 10 hectares of poplars, reducing their carbon footprint. The estate grows several grape varieties suited for Armagnac, including Baco, Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard, with Baco particularly valued for its disease resistance.
Distillation Process
Château de Laubade uses a custom-built “Armagnac-style” still from 1974 to distill their wines without added sulfites, preserving aromatic potential. Each grape variety undergoes a separate, single continuous distillation process managed by in-house distillers. This method, guided by the Cellarmaster’s specifications, optimizes the extraction of aromatic compounds unique to each grape, achieving nuanced distillates with controlled alcohol content.
Aging and Barrel Selection
Aging is a meticulous process at Château de Laubade. The estate uses custom-crafted barrels made from Gascony oak harvested from its grounds. The eaux-de-vie age in approximately 3,000 barrels across nine on-site cellars, with controlled conditions of humidity and barrel rotation between new and older oak to enhance complexity. Separate aging for each grape variety and vintage allows for precise blending when the spirits reach optimal maturity. Every bottle and decanter is labeled with its bottling date and batch number, ensuring traceability and transparency.
Innovation and Recognition
Château de Laubade remains a leader in innovation, from reintroducing traditional grape varieties like Plant de Graisse to experimenting with foreign barrel aging and developing new high-end blends. In 2015, Château de Laubade was among the first Armagnac producers to receive the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant certification, underscoring its commitment to heritage and quality.
Ranges
Château de Laubade offers a diverse range of Armagnacs, each crafted to showcase the unique characteristics of their terroir, grape varieties, and aging processes.
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)
- Age: The VSOP is aged for a minimum of 6 years, well above the legal requirement of 4 years.
- Characteristics: This Armagnac presents balanced notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and subtle spices. The extended aging gives it a smooth, approachable profile, making it a popular choice for both new and seasoned Armagnac drinkers.
- Best For: Enjoyed neat or in cocktails, this expression offers a gentle introduction to the world of aged Armagnacs.
XO (Extra Old)
- Age: Aged for at least 15 years.
- Characteristics: The XO reveals a more layered and refined profile, with deeper notes of dried figs, toasted almonds, and nutmeg. The oak influence becomes more pronounced, contributing to a velvety mouthfeel and an elegant, complex finish.
- Best For: Often enjoyed as a sipping Armagnac, the XO is well-suited for connoisseurs seeking depth and richness.
Hors d’Âge
- Age: Typically aged between 15 and 20 years.
- Characteristics: Aged for longer than the XO, the Hors d'Âge is intensely aromatic, showcasing flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, and caramelized fruits, with a long, warming finish. The complexity is achieved through meticulous aging and careful blending.
- Best For: Ideal for seasoned Armagnac drinkers who appreciate a more sophisticated and lingering experience.
Intemporel Range
- Overview: “Intemporel” translates to “timeless,” representing the house’s premium offerings.
- Intemporel N°5: A blend of various vintages, aged for over 30 years. It’s noted for its rich, powerful aromas of candied fruits, cinnamon, and tobacco, reflecting a highly refined aging process.
- Characteristics: This is an exceptional Armagnac with a concentrated profile, long finish, and remarkable balance, often featuring a silkier texture due to extensive aging.
- Best For: Enjoyed on special occasions, this is a collector’s Armagnac that highlights Château de Laubade’s expertise in long-term aging.
Vintage Armagnacs
- Overview: Château de Laubade has an extensive collection of single-vintage Armagnacs, with selections dating back to the early 20th century.
- Characteristics: Each vintage reflects the unique character of its production year. Depending on the year and aging conditions, flavors can vary significantly, from vibrant fruitiness in younger vintages to intense, woody complexity in older ones.
- Best For: Vintage Armagnacs are a prized choice for collectors or those celebrating significant years, offering a unique experience tied to a specific moment in time.
Signature Blends and Special Cuvées
- Laubade 50 Years: This limited edition blend is crafted from Armagnacs aged 50 years and over, showcasing a remarkably concentrated profile with intense notes of cocoa, dried figs, and exotic spices.
- Cuvée Louis-Philippe: A tribute to the historical era of Armagnac production, this cuvée offers a refined and complex tasting experience. It’s characterized by its elegance and harmonious balance of floral, fruity, and spicy aromas.
- Best For: These blends are crafted for true Armagnac enthusiasts and collectors, often limited in quantity and celebrated for their exceptional quality.
Innovation Line (Barrel-Aged Experiments)
- Overview: This line reflects Château de Laubade’s experimental approach, involving unique aging techniques such as finishing Armagnac in barrels from other types of wood or wine barrels.
- Characteristics: These experimental expressions often feature unexpected flavor combinations, such as smoky, toasted, or wine-infused notes, adding a creative twist to traditional Armagnac.
- Best For: Adventurous drinkers looking to explore new dimensions of flavor in Armagnac.
Each of these ranges demonstrates Château de Laubade’s dedication to quality, tradition, and innovation, catering to a wide range of tastes and occasions. From the versatile VSOP to the rare Vintage selections, each expression offers a unique perspective on Bas Armagnac’s rich heritage.