Domaine Boingneres Cepages Nobles 1985...

Domaine Boingneres Cepages Nobles 1985 (49.0%): Another Armagnac sample today... Domaine Boingneres is founded by Jean Boingneres in 1807. Today they are 213 years old and ran by the six generation of the family. They grow Folle Blanche, Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes on their estate, distill their mash onsite and also age their spirit in their cellars using new Gascogne wood casks only. This Armagnac is distilled in 1985 and bottled in 2016 when it was 31 year old.

Color: Dark amber, chestnut honey with a reddish hue. Thin and small but very oily and slow legs.

Nose: Chocolate marzipan, vanilla and black cherry soda. Dark chocolate, dark raisins and prunes. Mushrooms, cellar mold and toasted oak. Dried flowers and ripe damson plums.

Palate: Cointreau and cranberry juice. Candied orange peel, dark molasses and Mexican hot chocolate. Rancio, chili powder and honey roasted almonds. It's thick, viscous and syrupy without being very sweet... Red pepper flakes, oak, pomegranate pomace and old leather upholstery.

Finish: Long and dry... Raisins, PX sherry and hardwood. More spicy hot chocolate and nutmeg.

Overall: It even feels older than 31 year old especially on the palate... Must be the new wood casks working on the spirit since 1985. It's exactly how one would imagine a well aged old Armagnac should taste like. Dense, sweet, tart, tannic and rustic... Shows its age amazingly well but not overmatured by any means. They pretty much nailed the bottling time with this one... Thanks to Derek Kendzor for the sample.

Price: $280

90/100