TASTING NOTE

Don't let the "entry level" classification put you off - this terrific armagnac punches well above its weight. Warm and mellow with caramel and ripe autumn green fruit, this is incredible value for money.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

The Guasch family have been in Gascony since the 12th century. They have owned the château at Bordeneuve since 1974. They are one of the region's largest courtier and negociant operations. Today, the father-and-son team of Jean-Claude and Thomas look after viticulture, vinification and distillation.

Bordeneuve has 60 hectares dedicated to vineyards'; 75% are planted with ugni blanc and the rest with baco. The vineyards are superbly situated on very fine clay-sand soils, which are high in acidity and in some places mixed with iron, the colour of which gives rise to the name sables fauves or tawny sands. Boulbène topsoil, the characteristic regional sediment, is rich in limestone.

There is one short column still at the domaine (almost 100 years old), which produces up to 50-60 casks of new spirit annually. The wine is distilled on its lees, and drawn off at 55-58%, depending on the harvest. Distillation is continuous through day and night and manually controlled to account for temperature and humidity changes. A second ambulant still is shortly to be installed permanently in the domaine.