L’Encantada, Domaine Cutxan 2005 – Bas-Armagnac

(Aged 17 years, Ugni Blanc. Barrel No. 33) The nose is elegant and offers aromatic power, a certain complexity, a beautiful delicacy of the fruit, a certain brightness of the fruit as well as a nice fine and powerful grain. There are notes of marmalade, crushed peach and small notes of dried apricot associated with fine touches of rancio, blond tobacco, almost candy as well as fine hints of tarte tatin and pepper. The palate is fruity, gourmand and offers a melodious side, a nice balance, an almost airy side in its matter (very nice balance), a certain roundness, juiciness/brightness of the fruit, a very fine hint of sweetness in the background as well as racy and assertive power (but all in control). On the palate this Armagnac expresses notes of date, marmalade and small notes of small crushed/syrupy white fruits associated with touches of tarte tatin, a subtle hint of kumquat, toasted, nutmeg as well as a hint of rancio and a discreet hint of orangette. Good length. A hint of light toasted oak on the finish/persistence.