Armagnac 2013

A birth bottle

Buying the armagnac from a child's birth vintage means preparing a gift for later. The principle is simple: a vintage no longer ages once bottled, so it keeps without any trouble, upright, away from light and heat. Given today to the parents, a 2013 armagnac will wait until 2031 and the child's 18th birthday, or for a wedding, a graduation, a first big day as an adult. The sale of alcoholic drinks to minors is prohibited by the French public health code: it is to adults that it is given, and proof of age may be required from the buyer.

For couples married in 2013, it marks another anniversary: 13 years of marriage. A bottle from the same harvest, opened as a couple or with friends, makes a lovely nod.

Reading the label of our 2013 armagnac

Every mention has a meaning. Here are those of our 2013, based on the information from the Clés des Ducs house:

• "2013": the year the grapes were harvested. All the contents come from this single harvest, without blending;
• "Armagnac": the protected designation of origin, in the Gers, with no area specified;
• "40% vol.": the alcoholic strength. The brandy was reduced by adding water before bottling: it is not a brut de fût;
• "70 cl": the bottle size, here in the house's Exception bottle, delivered in a cardboard gift box.

The house does not publish a tasting note for this 2013: we do not make one up. It does, however, specify its method: whatever the harvest, its cellar master selects the casks to obtain a long, rich and smooth armagnac, with deliberately light oak.

Vintage and age statement, the difference

A VSOP, an XO or a hors d'âge combine brandies of different ages, and it is the youngest that sets the mention. A vintage armagnac, on the other hand, tells of a single harvest. Hence its appeal as a gift: it carries a date, that of a birth, a meeting or a wedding. The principle recalls that of a vintage whisky or rum, with one major difference in how it is made: unlike cognac, distilled twice, armagnac goes through the still only once, a distillation said to preserve a richer bouquet.

Panjas, 1774

The house was born in Panjas, in the Gers, where Paul Baylac, lord of the village, distilled his first brandies in 1774. It has belonged to the Armanoir Group since 2008. Its armagnac is based first on ugni blanc, with baco, folle blanche and colombard. Distillation is continuous, at low temperature, in a copper armagnac still; ageing takes place in black Gascon oak casks, with a medium to light toast and time in new casks limited to three or four months. Its VSOP cuvée won a silver medal at the Talents de l'Armagnac competition.

2013, Pope Francis

On 13 March 2013, the Argentine cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope and took the name Francis (source: Wikipedia, article "François (pape)"). In France, the law opening marriage to same-sex couples was enacted on 17 May 2013 (source: Wikipedia, article "Loi ouvrant le mariage aux couples de personnes de même sexe"). In the Gascon vineyards, the harvest and distillation followed their course. In the absence of an assessment published by a producer on this harvest, we do not describe it.

A South West terroir, its estates

The appellation covers three areas: Bas-Armagnac, Ténarèze and Haut-Armagnac. Around Eauze, Nogaro or Lannepax, each armagnac house keeps its own way of working, from the choice of grapes, ugni blanc, baco or folle blanche, to the length of ageing. To discover other styles and complete your collection, here are some estates from our catalogue:

• Delord armagnac, a family house in Lannepax since 1893, from which we offer a 2012 Bas-Armagnac brut de fût;
• Jean Cavé armagnac, in Lannepax since 1883, for old vintages;
• Château de Bordeneuve, in Castelnau d'Auzan;
• Château de Laubade, Château de Millet, Domaine de Pellehaut and Dartigalongue;
• Domaine de Laballe, on the tawny sands of Bas-Armagnac since 1820.

Tasting a 13 year old armagnac

At 13, an armagnac is a young spirit. It often shows a fruity, vanilla-scented brandy: prunes, dried fruit, a little caramel and sweet spices, with wood that is still discreet; the rancio of very old armagnacs does not belong to this age. Its colour is often golden or amber, with lovely highlights. Serve it at room temperature, in a tulip glass, and let it open up for a few minutes. As a digestif, with dark chocolate or a prune tart, it is in its place; as an aperitif, over an ice cube, or in a cocktail, it is also very pleasant.

To compare with neighbouring years, see the 2012 armagnac, including a Delord brut de fût, and the 2014 armagnac.

Frequently asked questions about 2013 armagnac

Who produces the 2013 armagnac in our selection?

The Clés des Ducs house, founded in Panjas, in the Gers.

What is the price of a 2013 armagnac?

It is shown on the product page, with the bottle size. From one house to another, the price of a vintage varies depending on the strength, the format and the rarity.

Where can I buy a 2013 armagnac?

At Plaisirs de Gascogne, an online shop dedicated to vintage armagnacs: bottles from houses in the Gers, secure ordering and payment, delivery in France and across Europe, and a customer service available to advise you before you buy.

How long does a 2013 armagnac keep?

Unopened and stored upright, it keeps for years without losing its quality. Once opened, allow several months.

Discover all our vintage armagnacs, year by year.

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