CHATEAU DE LAUBADE
Bas-Armagnac, France
Chateau de Laubade is a unique property in the heart of the best area for Armagnac, the Bas Armagnac. Its beautiful chateau is surrounded by 105 hectares (260 acres) of vineyards, all dedicated to the production of high quality Armagnac. The Lesgourgues family are the proud owners, and also own properties in Bordeaux and Madiran.
In 1974 the property was acquired by Maurice Lesgourgues and his son Jean-Jacques. Jean-Jacques set out to restore the property, and make its Armagnacs the best of the region. He forced himself to distill for 8 years without ever selling a drop. Today Laubade has the largest stock of quality eaux-de-vie from 1974 onward. His sons Arnaud and Denis have now taken over the business, and continue to reap awards for their efforts.
Château de Laubade is one of the very few properties producing the four traditional grape varieties of the appellation. The grapes volumes are well balanced with 47% of Ugni Blanc, 30% of Baco 22A, 15% of Colombard and 8% of Folle Blanche. The house, as the largest producer of Baco, defends this emblematic grape variety in Armagnac. In blind tests Baco has proved itself the most complex. Château de Laubade grows other grape varieties as well, such as the Plan de Graisse, the Clairette de Gascogne and the Meslier Saint-François for experimentations.
The chateau is unusual in that it is virtually self-sufficient: from vine to wine, from their own alembic stills to the wood selected by Michel Bachoc, the production manager. Laubade is the only Armagnac property to have their own on-site cooper. In autumn and winter 600 sheep, down from the Pyrenees, graze among the vines, producing organic fertilizer. The cellars shelter 2800 barrels (400 liters each) waiting for that perfect moment to be bottled. It is the largest single cellar of fine Armagnac. The oldest Armagnacs, distilled before 1930, are stored in large glass demijohns in special cellar known as ‘Le Paradis’.
Armagnacs
Chateau de Laubade Bas Armagnac Signature
Chateau de Laubade Bas Armagnac VSOP
Chateau de Laubade Bas Armagnac XO
Chateau de Laubade Bas Armagnac Vintage
Chateau de Laubade Bas Armagnac Vintage Cask Strength