Talent galore !
The world of Armagnac is doing well!
The 139 samples from 51 different competitors received by the jury for the 53rd year of the « Armagnac Talents » annual competition bear witness to this. Every year the best Armagnacs in 7 diverse categories are rewarded:
- Blanche Armagnac
- Armagnac on ice
- VSOP
- Hors d’Âge from 10 to 19 years
- Hors d’Âge of more than 20 years
- Vintages from 10 to 20 years (1995 to 2004)
- Vintages from 20 to 30 years (1985 to 1994)
13 Gold medals, 14 Silver medals and 4 Bronze medals were bestowed on the eaux-de-vie that left a strong impression on the jury, which this year counted Gérard Basset, the best sommelier in the world among its ranks!
This distinguished juror also presided over the Grand Jury that awards the prestigious Prix du Président de la République every two years, the ultimate prize, of which the 2014 winner is the Bas-Armagnac 1995 from Samalens in Laujuzan.
Rewarding tradition and 700 years of history, passion and savoir-faire, this major competition, the only one in Armagnac, keeps the future in its sights with the creation in 2012 of two new awards that pay tribute to Marketing and Wine Tourism innovation. The creation of the « Armagnac on Ice » category back in 2011 already proved the adaptability of the Armagnac sector.
The list of prizewinners for « Armagnac Talents » 2014 was revealed on 5th December during a dinner by the alambic at the Domaine de Juglaron in Eauze. A prize giving that came just at the right moment, as it was the weekend that Vinocamp, a group of online based wine and spirit specialists, came to Armagnac to discover the product, terroir and the vines.
The winners shared their success with the numerous vinocampers who had come to enjoy the experience of a celebratory dinner at the foot of the alambic, so appreciated by the ‘Armagnacais’.
Discover the prize winners!
Prix du Président de la République :Bas-Armagnac 1995, Samalens, Laujuzan.
Armagnac on ice
Golden ice cube ‘Glaçon d'or’ :Classique VS, Château du Tariquet, Eauze.
Blanche Armagnac
Gold medal: Blanche, Domaine du Grand Comté, Roquelaure ; fine Blanche, Château Arton, Lectoure.
VSOP
Gold medal:VSOP, Domaine de Magnaut, Fourcès ; VSOP de Loyac, Val de Gascogne, Condom.
Silver medal: Ma Réserve 6 year old, Château de Salles, Salles-d'Armagnac ; VSOP, Domaine de Luquet, Labastide-d'Armagnac.
XO and Hors d’Age up to 19 years old
Gold medal:Hors d'âge, Domaine du Grand Comté, Roquelaure ; Hors d'Age, Vignobles Fontan, Noulens.
Silver medal: XO Chabot Armadis, Villeneuve-de-Marsan ; 10 year old, Domaine de Paguy, Betbezer-d'Armagnac.
Bronze medal: Hors d'âge de Loyac, Val de Gascogne, Condom.
Hors d'Age more than 20 years old
Gold medal: 20/20, Jean Cavé, Lannepax ; Cuvée Louis 1er, Marquis de Montesquiou, Eauze.
Silver medal: 20 year old, Domaine de Paguy, Betbezer-d'Armagnac ; XO Premium By Joÿ, Panjas.
Bronze medal: Hors d'Age Château de Sandemagnan, Cazaubon.
Vintages 1995 to 2004
Gold medal:Bas-Armagnac 1995, Domaine de Maouhum, Le Frêche ; Bas-Armagnac 1995, Samalens, Laujuzan.
Silver medal :Armagnac 1998, Sempé, Villeneuve-de-Marsan ; Armagnac-Ténarèze 2001, Château Le Courréjot, Condom ;Bas-Armagnac 1995, Delord, Lannepax ; Bas-Armagnac 2001, Domaine de Luquet, Labastide-d'Armagnac.
Vintages 1985 à 1994
Gold medal: Armagnac 1994, Domaine de Rome, Montréal-du-Gers ;Bas-Armagnac 1986, Domaine de Charron, Bougue ; Bas-Armagnac 1992, Castarède, Mauléon-d'Armagnac.
Silver medal: Armagnac 1986, Ventayrac Gris Rivage, Gondrin ;Bas-Armagnac 1992, Domaine d'Espérance, Mauvezin-d'Armagnac ; Bas-Armagnac 1989, Domaine de Charron, Bougue ; Armagnac-Ténarèze 1993, Château Le Courréjot, Condom.
Bronze medal: Armagnac 1986, Clé des Ducs, Panjas ;Bas-Armagnac 1986, Samalens, Laujuzan.
Special prizes 2014
Prize for marketing innovation in Armagnac: Armagnac Castarède in Mauléon-d'Armagnac for setting up a digital strategy (internet site, networking) ; Bas-Armagnac Francis Darroze in Roquefort (40) for redefining its marketing strategy and re-looking of its packaging.
Prize for wine tourism innovation in Armagnac:Domaine de Paguy in Betbezer-d'Armagnac for the organisation of events (themed week-ends) in the vineyards; Domaine du Péto in Larroque-sur-l'Osse for the organisation of an event to promote wine tourism.
