Maker: Vignobles Fontan, Noulens, Gers, Gascony, France.
Region: Bas Armagnac
Grape: Ugni Blanc (100%)
Age category: XO (6-10 y/o). Website lists age as 10 y/o.
ABV: 42%
Purchased for $43 at The Party Source
Appearance: Dark caramel.
Nose: Leather, anise, lavender, old oak, velvet, violets.
Palate: Full-bodied. Grape hard candy, leather, clove, burn.
Finish: Horehound, anise, eucalyptus, alcohol.
Parting words: I’m still very much a French brandy newbie, but I really enjoyed this Armagnac. It’s pretty complex with some very nice spice balanced with the perfect amount of oak and sweetness. Maybe a little too perfect. It seems too dark to be natural, even if it is an XO. If caramel was added, then I suspect sugar and other additives were used as well. In the end, though, this isn’t very expensive for an XO Armagnac and it tastes good. Although I prefer additive-free spirits, that’s what really matters. Fontan XO is recommended.
Sipology 