Established: 2000

Appellations: AOC Bas Armagnac

Proprietor: Laura and Robert Hill

Winemaker: Robert Hill

Blending: The final spirit blends are composed by Marc Darroze from the revered house of Armagnac Darroze.

Vineyard Area: 5.5 ha

Viticulture:

Vegan Friendly:

Production Overview: The wines are vinified in the cellar and then distilled using a mobile alambic Armagnaçais 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 litre 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.

 

DOMAINE LOUJAN

Laura and Robert Hill purchased Domaine Loujan in 2000, becoming the first Americans to produce Armagnac in the 700-year history of the world’s oldest and finest brandy. Domaine Loujan Vintage 2000 is the Hills’ first bottling of Armagnac produced entirely at Domaine Loujan. 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.

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 BAS ARMAGNACS

THE TIMELESS SELECTION

Domaine Loujan Bas Armagnac 5 Years Old
50 % Folle Blanche, 50 % Ugni Blanc. No added sugar, tannin or caramel.
43 % alc/vol.

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.

Domaine Loujan Bas Armagnac 12 Years Old
75 % Ugni Blanc, 25 % Baco. No added sugar, tannin or caramel.
43 % alc/vol.

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 flavours (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.

Domaine Loujan Bas Armagnac 25 Years Old
60 % Baco, 40 % Ugni Blanc. No added sugar, tannin or caramel.
43 % alc/vol.

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.

THE VINTAGE SELECTION

Domaine Loujan Bas Armagnac 2012
100 % Folle Blanche. No added sugar, tannin or caramel.
Cask strength, 50.5 % alc/vol.

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.

Domaine Loujan Bas Armagnac 2006
50 % Baco, 50 % Ugni Blanc. No added sugar, tannin or caramel.
Cask strength, 48 % alc/vol.

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.

Domaine Loujan Bas Armagnac 2000
100 % Baco. No added sugar, tannin or caramel.
Cask strength, 43 % alc/vol.

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.