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A refined, mature, and well-balanced single domaine Armagnac, reflecting the elegance of the Bas-Armagnac region and the craftsmanship of the Darroze family. This edition — a Domaine de Rieston distillate — was distilled in 1996 and aged for nearly three decades in oak casks, achieving an exceptional harmony of fruitiness, oak maturity, and delicate spice.
The Domaine de Rieston estate lies in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, a region renowned for its “sables fauves” sandy soils, which lend Armagnacs their minerality, lightness, and purity of aroma. Local grape varieties — particularly Baco and Ugni Blanc — produce distillates known for their subtle fruit character, long finish, and distinctive expression of terroir.
On the nose, it offers elegant aromas of dried fruits, orange zest, honey, and vanilla, enhanced by nuances of gentle oak, tobacco, caramel, and soft spice. The bouquet is warm, harmonious, and refined, maintaining both depth and freshness.
On the palate, it is rich, smooth, and beautifully balanced, with layers of figs, prunes, vanilla, honey, caramel, and chocolate. Mid-palate reveals oak structure, delicate spice, and a perfect balance between sweetness and tannins. The texture is silky and slightly oily, leading to a long, warm, subtly smoky finish with notes of tobacco and dried fruit.
This is a classic, refined, and harmonious Bas-Armagnac, uniting the precision of the Darroze family with the terroir expression of Domaine de Rieston. Domaine de Rieston 1996 is a mature yet vibrant spirit, crafted for slow, contemplative enjoyment — a true synthesis of time, place, and mastery captured in a glass.
