2000 Domaine d'Ognoas 16 Year Old Bas-Armagnac (750ml)

A property that's been in existence since the 1200s, Ognoas spends much of its time as an agricultural school and a training ground for young distillers. Because of their status as a "co-op" of sorts, the operation is partly subsidized by the French government, which means the prices are insanely low! Lucky us! Ognoas uses local trees for their cooperage and puts a medium toast on the barrel for a kiss of sweetness in the brandy. This 16 year old edition is another superb value, especially for those who don't like their brandy as woody or dark as some of the other producers we work with like Baraillon and Pellehaut. There's still plenty of vanilla and richness from the oak, but there's a roundness of fruit and a pureness of character that's never dominated by the wood. The finish shows subtle notes of oak spice and cloves, but underneath it all is the creamy concentrated fruit, accented by soft caramel and a smooth, supple mouthfeel. This is top-notch stuff.