1987 Domaine de Jean-Bon 28 Year Old "K&L Exclusive" Bas Armagnac

The exceptional Jean Bon estate is not exactly a picture of perfection on arrival. Farming equipment, debris, animals seem to be wandering aimlessly. It took a solid 15 minutes for the proprietor to realize there was anyone there, but when they did we found and absolute gem. It's perhaps the an assuming nature of the property that like Baraillon has kept the national importers away, or maybe the miniscule production. We knew, however, the moment Madame Lacourt step out of her quant farmhouse that we'd met someone special. The little farm in La Depeche is doing it old school. Modern Armagnac producers might call their stuff old fashioned, but we call it absolutely delicious. Big bold and estery, the Lacourts have a relatively hands off approach to the elevage of there Armagnacs. That means, not a ton of oxygenation, very little ouillage, and some investment in high quality Gascony oak. The result is bold, blustery Armagnac Sourdois (Madame's nom de famille) as they call it. Dense chewy, dried fruit and big spices, the Jean Bon Armagnacs are in the top tier for this old school style.