Tastings at Château St Aubin – Réans – Gers

We visited early during their scheduled hours so that we might avoid crowds of dedicated fans and enjoy some moments of quiet tasting with the Château Staff. We went there to taste Bas-Armagnacs and we were delighted to find that they also had wines to taste.

A VIP tasting

Our plans were successful. We started our morning with “Uncle” Daniel who told us the history of the Domaine and explained the importance family, the Westphal Family, plays in the operation and management of the business. The Westphal family name has its roots in Westphalia, but this Family’s native land is Alsace where, as Jean-Luc says, they were born peasants. He and his brother, Daniel, are members of a family that had been farmers for generations. Their move to Gascony and the purchase of Domaine Saint-Aubin has allowed them to explore their family passion and to devote themselves fully to the vines. They find themselves free to be creative. They offer innovative wines and Armagnacs through a full commitment to ancestral know-how through modern techniques.

The Chateau

Both producing IGP Côtes de Gascogne and Bas Armagnac

Currently, the Saint-Aubin estate occupies 200 hectares, just over 494 acres, in the town of Réans, about 10k west of Éauze in the north-western Gers. Here the soil is sandy clay, the composition of most of the soil in the Bas-Armagnac AOC. Currently, they believe 50 of their 200 hectares offer an ideal location for propagating about ten different grape varieties. The estate is situated with the Garonne to the north, the Landes Forest to the west, and the Pyrenees to the south. This geographical location gives it enough sun, rain and, invigorating wind conditions to gratify and nurture the vines and to induce a generous and aromatic palette. They try methods to increase the quality of their IGP Côtes de Gascogne wines and Bas-Armagnacs by adding their personal, creative touch to the natural, positive qualities their soil provides.

We found their efforts at work in the  five Côtes de Gascogne wines and the four Bas-Armagnacs we tasted. During our tour and tasting we found their attention to cleanliness, freshness, and harmony of expression applies to everything at Château Saint-Aubin. The maintenance of the grounds, vineyards, and the production and cellar facilities; the design and maintenance of the hospitality center; and the products they produce were all extremely clean, fresh, and harmonious. Most importantly the wines and Armagnacs were very clean, without off-smells or flavors due to unclean or abused fermentation or aging vessels; refreshing, without over ripeness, high alcohols, dirty, stale, and over-charred wood; and harmonious, using many simple layers to create complexity, without rough edges and excess.

A Bas Armagnac production

The five Armagnacs we tasted were Bas-Armagnacs, all made from different blends of an assortment of three white grapes – Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Baco 22A. Currently, the only Armagnac which is a monocépage is their Blanche Armagnac which is made from 100% Ugni Blanc. The age of the Armagnac, as listed on both the box and the label, is the minimum amount of time the eau-de-vie has been aged in oak barrels.

Tasting Blanche Armagnac – 100% Ugni Blanc, 43.9% ABV

The eye is crystal clear with silver reflections and an alcohol swirl spinning in the glass. The nose is aromatic and spicy with enough green apple and Bosc pear to control the heat of the alcohol. Then, the mouth is opulent and spicy with touches of thyme and licorice with apple and Comice pear. This is a powerful brandy with a luxurious silken texture and luscious fruit quality that tames its power. it is excellent as an aperitif, or in your favorite cocktails. It also can be a companion to caviar and cured fish starters. It also makes a delicious Granité or Trou d’Armagnac as an Entremet.

Bas Armagnac Age 2 Tasting : Bas Armagnac tasting Colombard and Ugni Blanc, 40% ABV 

“Age 2” consists of eau-de-vie with at least two years of aging in French Oak barriques. It is pale, slightly honey-colored with brilliant copper reflections. The nose is clean, fresh, youthful, and energetic. It is spicy with flashes of white pepper, wildflowers, and bosc pear. The palate is aromatic and vigorous showing some heat. Yet, it is gourmand with a youthful oakiness. It is spicy with touches of wild honey and a caramel sweetness. The youthful complexity differentiates it from most young Armagnacs. The Age 2 is excellent and refreshing on the rocks as an aperitif or as the main ingredient in an Old-Fashioned, Manhattan, or Sour.

Bas Armagnac Tastings

Bas Armagnac Age 4 Tasting : Colombard and Ugni Blanc, 40% ABV

“Age 4” consists of eau-de-vie with at least four years of aging in French Oak barriques. It is a rich, golden amber with copper reflets. The nose is clean, aromatic, and spicy with touches of black pepper, Herbs de Provence, and mature sweet oak. The palate is clean, vivid, and focused, with flavors of fig, date, and stewed prunes. Well-Aged M+ Oak supports and focuses the dried fruit flavors. This young Armagnac already has deep color and flavor intensity. At four years of age one can sip it on the rocks as an aperitif or neat as a nicely aged spirit like a whisky or a whiskey.

Bas Armagnac Age 10 Tasting : Colombard and Ugni Blanc, 42% ABV

« Age 10” consists of eau-de-vie with at least ten years of aging in French Oak barriques. It has a deep amber color with brilliant bronze reflections and a high viscosity. The nose is clean, intense, and expressive with notes of espresso, bitter chocolate, and burning oak. The palate is round and opulent flavors of lemon peel, dried orange rind, and vanilla bean. At ten years of age, this Bas-Armagnac retains its youthful freshness and spice, but it has added additional complexity on both the nose and palate. It is already the perfect after dinner beverage we love to enjoy in front of the fireplace. Enjoy it neat as you would your favorite whisky or whiskey with just one or two droplets of water to break the alcohol tension, or warm the glass in the palm of your hand with some sliced apple and pear with some almonds and hazelnuts.

Bas Armagnac Age 20 Tasting : Colombard and Ugni Blanc, 42% ABV

« Age 20” consists of eau-de-vie with at least twenty years of aging in French Oak barriques. It has a deep amber color with claret hues and red reflections. The nose is clean and intense without excessive power. Notes of charred wood, dark-roasted coffee beans, and toasted hazelnuts. The palate is clean and refreshing on attack but gains intensity and density as it lingers on the palate. The finish is long and spicy with dried fruit lingering. At 20 years of age this Bas-Armagnac is clean with youthful freshness. This wonderful bottling has not grown ponderous, it remains excellent as an aperitif and neat as a cocktail, but try it in a glass warmed in the palm of your hand to appreciate it at its best.

Vintage 1974-2005, Bas-Armagnac – Ugni Blanc, Baco 22 A, and Colombard – None Tasted 

IGP Côtes de Gascogne and Vin de France production

Domaine Saint-Aubin, 2021 José Rosé, 100% Tempranillo. Pleasant and easy to drink. Perfect timing with the current summertime.

2021 José Rosé, IGP Côtes de Gascogne, 100% Tempranillo, 11% ABV

The José Rosé has a moderate intensity watermelon color with brilliant red reflections. The nose is clean, fresh, and fruity with hints of watermelon and strawberry. It has a delicate intensity with a Tempranillo character. The palate is fruity, but relatively dry with some Tempranillo earthiness that focuses the flavors. The wine has a pleasant character, and it is perfect for drinking in the hot sun. Enjoy it as an aperitif with salty snacks, fresh fruit, and charcuterie. The wine was recently bottled and a new release. We would want to revisit it later this Summer.

2020 Les Vignes de Belair Blanc Sec, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, 12,5% ABV

The wine is brilliant in the glass, pale yellow, with luminescent green reflections. The nose, then, is clean and fresh with aromas of white flowers and white stone fruit. The Chardonnay rounds out the nose and combines nicely with the aromatic herbaceousness of the Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is moderately intense and round with touches of grapefruit and minerality. to finish, the fresh fruit structures make the wine a perfect aperitif, but it has enough aromatic and mineral complexity to accompany seafood, roasted chicken, and spicy Szechuan cuisine.

2021 Les Cigogneau Blanc Fruité, Petit Manseng, 11,5% AV

The wine is a brilliant, pale yellow with golden yellow reflections. It  has good viscosity and coats the glass nicely. The nose is clean and concentrated with white flowers, yellow stone fruit, and the round tropicality of pineapple. The front palate is sweet with intense flavors of pineapple and quince. This is a sweet wine with about 6% residual sugar (60 grams per liter). anyway, the wine has an excellent acidity which keeps it sweetness crisp and refreshing. It is perfect as an aperitif, but it will also work well with richly flavored desserts like a Tarte Tatin, grilled apricots, or roasted and spiced pears.

2019 Les Vignes de Saubon Malbec and Merlot (Vieilles Vignes), 14% ABV

The wine is a deep ruby with violet reflection and with touches of garnet. The appearance is not youthful but neither does it look old or cellared. The nose is clean and concentrated with a blend of black cherries, blackberries, and blueberries with touches of earthiness from the Malbec. The palate is complex with a moderate intensity and a subtlety which is more Côte de Beaune than Cahors. The old vine character of the fruit contributes intense flavor and a ripe complexity. There is discreet M+ oak on the palate that gives backbone to the wine and contributes supple tannins. The wine is long with excellent balance. The wine will go well with meat, but we would prefer slowly roasted or low temperature simmered preparations. Also, enjoy it with intense cheeses such as Soumaintrain, Maroilles, Époisses or Roquefort.

2021 Les Marcassins Rouge Gourmand et Joyeux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Alicante, 12,5% ABV

Les Marcassins is a brilliant and intense purple and ruby with violet reflections. The nose is clean, intense, and gourmand with fresh black cherry and plum. The palate is round and opulent, long, and well-balanced with blackberry and cassis dominating the flavors. M+ oak and the firm but soft tannin structure focuses the palate. Drink this wine with grilled steaks and rich cheeses.