Review #132: Château du Tariquet 1997/2014 15yr, 100% Folle Blanche, 47.2% abv, OB, Bas Armagnac

holiday math problem

I'm not sure how time passes in Bas Armagnac, but this was distilled in 1997, aged in oak barrels, and bottled in 2014, and it's 15 years old. Either somewhere in the process there was some in-between time that doesn't count, or they understated the age. Doesn't really matter -- this is good stuff.

nose: nice very-mature spirits nose -- could be anything old and brown, except for the burst of fruit. Clotted cream with lots of oak spices, tiny amounts of leather and glue, dried flowers, red fruit (esp. cherries), and finally some grapes.

palate: doesn't quite hold up to the nose, but lots of apricots and prunes comes out for the first time. A little oaky after a while (i.e., if you drink a whole bunch), but not drying.

finish: grapey and oaky, maybe a little vanilla.


This is inexpensive, and it manages to have both an old nose and a fresh, fruity palate. Nice combination!

score: 87