Domaine 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.

The Loujan estate is located in the Bas Armagnac region. The soils are sandy and gravelly, with a slight gravel content. These unique soils are rich in iron and particularly well suited to the production of fine spirits.

The property is small, and the 5.5-hectare vineyard is planted with 50% Baco, 40% Ugni Blanc, and 10% Folle Blanche grapes. These three different grape varieties allow each cuvée to be worked differently in order to offer complementary aromatic profiles.

The wines are vinified in the cellar and then distilled using a mobile still in the finest Armagnac tradition (continuous distillation, in a single heating).

Then begins the long period of aging and maturation. Also, in the great Gascon tradition, young Armagnacs are stored in 400-liter barrels made from oak from the forests of southwestern France, locally sourced sessile oak. The toasting is light to medium in order to preserve the identity of the grape varieties and terroir and not to overpower the Armagnac with wood.

The blended Armagnacs (5, 12, and 25 years old) are slightly reduced to 43% alcohol, while the vintages are bottled at cask strength straight from the barrel.

All these Armagnacs are natural and have not undergone any addition of wood, caramel, or other sugars.

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.

Domaine Loujan 2000 won the gold medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the most respected and influential spirits competition in the world.

Loujan Bas Armagnac 5 Year Old
50% Folle Blanche + 50% Ugni Blanc. No added sugar, tannin or caramel. Aged in local French oak barrels for just 5 years years and bottled at 43%. 700ml.

‘Beautiful bright gold color with fiery tints. The nose is very delicate, with subtle aromas of gingerbread, honey, dried flowers, crème brûlée, and dried apricots. Very refined and delicate with a very subtle but present woodiness. This refinement is reflected on the palate with aromas of fruit (quince, dry raisins) and delicate spices (vanilla, pepper). Very well-balanced. Long finish.’ Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

Loujan Bas Armagnac 12 Year Old
75% Ugni Blanc, 25% Baco. No added sugar, tannin or caramel. Aged in local French oak barrels for more than ten years and bottled at 43%.

‘Beautiful amber color with golden highlights. A very interesting, complex, and rich nose. Aromas of candied fruit (prunes, fig jam, redcurrants, and blackberries) mingle with spicier flavors (licorice). The nose is smooth and reassuring. Very well-balanced on the palate, with an enveloping attack followed by an explosion of aromas (spices, ripe fruit, toasted bread, dried fruit). Complex and long on the palate.’ Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

Loujan Bas Armagnac 25 Year Old
40% Ugni Blanc, 60% Baco. No added sugar, tannin or caramel. Aged in local French oak barrels for more than twenty years and bottled at 43%.

Brown color with light golden hues. The nose reveals aromas of roasted notes (coffee, toast, cocoa, tobacco), spices (clove, licorice), and rancio (walnut). On the palate, the tannins are round and silky. A taste profile in line with the nose, revealing aromas associated with long aging and incredible barrel quality. Aromas very similar to the nose. Very long on the palate. Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

Domaine Loujan Vintage 2012
100% Folle Blanche with no added sugar, tannin or caramel. EAged in local French oak barrels and estate-bottled at cask strength (50.5%).

Golden color with golden highlights. The nose is bright and sunny. Aromas of herbal tea (minty verbena), delicate spices (vanilla, gingerbread), and dried fruit (apricot, raisin). Magnificent. No disappointment on the palate. Very nice balance. The alcohol is perfectly integrated thanks to round, silky tannins and delicate yet intense aromas: flan, tarte tatin, candied orange zest, vanilla. Very long finish. Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

Domaine Loujan Vintage 2006
50% Ugni Blanc, 50% Baco from the sixth vintage to be produced entirely at Domaine Loujan. Distilled in late October 2006, aged in local French oak barrels and estate-bottled at cask strength (48%).

Beautiful golden color with amber highlights. A magnificent, highly complex nose offering aromas of ripe and candied fruit (figs, quince, banana), pastries (custard, butter) and spices (vanilla, cinnamon). The palate reflects this balance and harmony between aromas (vanilla, cocoa, candied fruit), tannins and alcohol. Spectacular. Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

Domaine Loujan Vintage 2000
100% 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 (43%).

’Brown color with golden and red highlights. The nose is typical of a 25-year-old Baco Armagnac: deep and complex. Aromas of dried fruit, cocoa, and tobacco accompany candied fruit (prunes) and complex oxidative notes of nuts and undergrowth. The balance on the palate is incredible. The tannins are firm and present but not excessive, the aromas are complex (spices, cocoa, coffee, licorice), and the alcohol is perfectly integrated. A great Armagnac from a great terroir.’ Marc Darroze, Armagnac Darroze.

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.