Maker: Artez, Arthez-d’Armagnac, Landes, France
Grapes: Ugni Blanc, Folle Branche, Baco (Blanc)
Place of origin: Bas Armagnac
Age category: Napoleon (10 y/o)
ABV: 40%
Price: $50/3 200 ml bottles
UB= Ugni Blanc, FB= Folle Blanche, BB= Baco
Appearance
UB: Bright copper.
FB: Bright copper.
BB: Slightly darker.
Nose
UB: Oak, caramel, Amaretto, leather.
FB: Cherry, plum, oak,
BB: Blackberry, anise.
Palate
UB: Semi-dry. Balanced, alcohol, cream, vanilla, leather.
FB: Mild. Grape, tarragon, leather.
BB: Richer, Grape/apple juice, burn.
Finish
UB: Eucalyptus, bitter oak.
FB: Oak, raisin.
BB: Very mild, dark fruit, touch of oak.
Parting words: Artez is a small producer of Armagnac (and a few other things) with vineyards in the west of Lower Armagnac. They grow three varieties of grapes on their estate: Ugni Blanc (best known for Cognac), Folle Blanche (the original Armagnac variety) and Baco Blanc (the most common variety in Armagnac currently). So a three bottle set like this is an obvious thing to put out.
Going in, I was skeptical as to whether I would be able to tell the difference (if any) between these three bottles from the same maker at the same age. I actually was! To summarize each in one word: UB is creamy, FB is fruity and BB is spicy (anise specifically). All three and the set as a whole is recommended.
Sipology 