Armagnac 1907

A vintage armagnac from 1907

Vintage here means a single harvest: the wine of 1907, distilled the following winter, then aged without being mixed with other years. A VSOP or an XO, in armagnac as in cognac, relies on the contrary on blending several ages. Our 1907 is therefore a vintage armagnac in the proper sense, and very few bottles of it remain. Nor does it have anything in common with a hors d'âge armagnac, which blends armagnacs at least ten years old.

1907, the year of the winegrowers' revolt

In 1907, the winegrowers of Languedoc demonstrated against slumping wine sales and fraud; on 9 June 1907, the huge gathering in Montpellier marked the peak of the winegrowers' protest in the Midi (source: Wikipedia, article "Révolte des vignerons du Languedoc en 1907"). This context weighed on the whole French vineyard and pushed the State to better protect the products of the vine. Two years later, in 1909, the production area for Armagnac brandies was delimited, with its subdivision into three regions, by a decree signed by President Armand Fallières (source: Wikipedia, article "Armagnac (eau-de-vie)"). No producer source describes the 1907 harvest in Gascony, so we do not judge it.

Our 1907 armagnac, signed Jean Cavé

The bottle comes from the reserves of the Jean Cavé house. The label bears the words Bas-Armagnac AOP; the product sheet specifies that the armagnac has undergone no blending and that it is bottled brut de fût, that is, without water added to lower its strength. The exact strength is the one on the label. The product sheet does not say whether it is a single cask, that is, from a single cask: we do not claim it. The 70 cl bottle is delivered in a wooden box, ready to give.

For other bottles left at their natural strength, browse our brut de fût armagnac page.

A house born in 1883

In 1907, the Cavé house had existed for twenty-four years. Jean Cavé, a winegrower, had settled in Lannepax in 1883 as a distiller and cellar master. Since then, four generations have followed one another, down to Henri Cavé today. The house has patiently built up a collection of very old vintages, considered one of the most remarkable in the appellation, in a cellar where some armagnacs have aged for decades in oak casks.

Three regions, one appellation

The 1909 delimitation set the face of Armagnac as we know it: three regions, Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac. Bas-Armagnac, where our 1907 comes from, is the land of tawny sands; Ténarèze occupies the centre, and Haut-Armagnac extends further east and south. Everywhere, the white wine comes from the appellation's grape varieties, including ugni blanc, baco, folle blanche and colombard. It is distilled continuously, in a single pass, in the armagnac still, whereas cognac goes through the still twice. Then comes the long ageing in cask, the only time when armagnac evolves: in the bottle, it no longer changes. Each terroir, each estate and each cellar tradition gives armagnac production its diversity.

Tasting a 1907 armagnac

Jean Cavé does not publish a tasting note for this 1907, and we do not invent one. Armagnacs more than a century old frequently offer a deep mahogany colour, aromas of dried fruit, prune, leather, sweet spices and rancio, with great length on the palate. As this is a brut de fût, take your time: a tulip glass, a small measure, room temperature, and a few minutes' wait. A drop of water can help it open up.

A gift for wine lovers

A 1907 armagnac speaks to those who love the history of French vines: the revolt of the Midi, the birth of the appellations, the rebuilding of the vineyard after phylloxera. It is also given for the anniversary of a house founded that year, for a collector of old years or for a family handing down. Store it upright, in a dark, cool place.

Just before, our 1905 armagnac; later, our 1914 armagnac. For more recent vintages, our shop brings together other estates and houses: Château de Laubade, Castarède, Dartigalongue, Armagnac Delord, Château de Millet, Laballe, Domaine de Pellehaut or the Baron de Sigognac from Château de Bordeneuve. Castarède, a house founded in 1832, and Delord, Jean Cavé's neighbour in Lannepax, let you compare two styles. Comparing houses, comparing years, comparing terroirs: that is the whole experience of armagnac. Our selection also includes Floc de Gascogne and other spirits from the South West.

Frequently asked questions about 1907 armagnac

How much does a 1907 armagnac cost?

It depends on the rarity of this 119 year old lot. It is displayed on the product page, with the bottle size.

Where can I buy a 1907 armagnac?

On Plaisirs de Gascogne, an online shop dedicated to armagnac: add the bottle to your basket, pay for your order securely; delivery is made in France and Europe, in protective packaging. Our customer service team answers your questions.

What delivery times should I expect?

They depend on the country and the method chosen; they are shown before you confirm your order, so that you can plan the date of your gift.

What are the characteristics of the 1907 armagnac?

A Bas-Armagnac AOP from Jean Cavé, from a single harvest, brut de fût, without blending, in 70 cl with a wooden case.

What are the reviews of the 1907 armagnac?

The house does not publish a rating for this vintage, and we do not quote any reviews. For us, its value lies in its rarity and in the unique experience offered by such a spirit.

What is the history of the 1907 armagnac?

That of a Gascon harvest contemporary with the winegrowers' revolt, kept for more than a century by a family from Lannepax.

Discover all our vintage armagnacs, year by year.

Please enjoy responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health.