Outstanding armagnacs

Armagnac is the oldest brandy in France. Reputed for its therapeutic virtues in the Middle Ages, it enjoyed considerable success in the 16th century and went on to become a truly commercial product.
Charles de Batz (better known as D’Artagnan) was no doubt the first person to export armagnac - he is known to have had a few flasks with him at the battle of Maastricht.

The Armagnac region in South West France is unique, as it is the only place in the world where Armagnac is produced. It consists of three areas, Haut-Armagnac to the east, Bas-Armagnac to the west and Ténarèze in the centre. The official AOC Armagnac region covers two thirds of the Gers department, as well as some of the Lot-et-Garonne and the Landes. Nowadays, however, actual production takes place mainly in Bas-Armagnac and Ténarèze, in the Gers.

The Busca-Maniban property is located in Ténarèze, which has been a grape-growing region since the Gallo-Roman era. The soil consists of a mixture of clay, limestone and sandy 'boulbènes' (a local word for alluvial soil), producing more full-bodied armagnacs than those of neighbouring Bas-Armagnac, and with a stronger bouquet, typically reminiscent of prunes and spices.

The wine estate covers 200 hectares (almost 500 acres) and has produced armagnac since the mid-17th century. The vines were replanted when the château was rebuilt by its owners, the La Bassa family, also known as the Maniban. Initially, three grape varieties were used, as in the rest of the region: the Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Folle Blanche. Nowadays, Ugni Blanc is the only variety used, as it is considered more 'specific' to armagnac.  

The Château has another major attribute: it is the only privately-owned wine estate in the Armagnac region to be classified as a French historical monument.