Chateau de Pellehaut Vintage 1988 Armagnac Reserve Tenareze

The  Pellehaut Vintage 1988 Armagnacis a deeply elegant and beautifully mature vintage Armagnac that exemplifies the refined power and oxidative richness of extended cellar aging. The 1988 Réserve Ténarèze from Château de Pellehaut offers a seamless balance of dried fruit, toasted oak, and spice, with the brightness and structural clarity that Ugni Blanc is known for — making it ideal for contemplative sipping or premium spirits collections.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Hailing from the Ténarèze cru of the historic Armagnac region in southwestern France, Château de Pellehaut is known for terroir-driven eaux-de-vie that emphasize both fruit purity and barrel-aged complexity. This 1988 vintage is crafted from 100 % Ugni Blanc, a grape variety prized in Armagnac production for its naturally high acidity, which fosters bright aromatics and excellent aging potential.

After hand-harvested grapes were fermented with careful temperature control, the resulting wine was distilled in traditional Armagnac column stills (alambic Armagnacais) to preserve aromatic focus and textural richness. The spirit then matured for decades in local Gascon oak casks, allowing slow oxidation and cask influence to build layers of complexity while retaining varietal definition. Regular cellar monitoring ensured optimum oak integration and oxidative evolution, resulting in a vintage that feels both mature and supremely balanced.

Critics Reviews

Connoisseurs and vintage Armagnac commentators often highlight Château de Pellehaut’s older Ugni Blanc expressions for their structural clarity, textural finesse, and depth of expression. The 1988 vintage consistently receives praise for how it marries old-world oxidative richness with the luminous acidity and fruit core intrinsic to Ugni Blanc, avoiding heavy wood dominance while expressing nuanced complexity that rewards slow sipping.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
A refined bouquet of dried apricot, quince paste, and burnt honey opens first, followed by delicate nuances of toasted almond, vanilla pod, and warm spice. Hints of orange zest and baked apple contribute brightness, while subtle oak emergence adds depth without overshadowing fruit clarity.

Palate:
Silky yet structured, the palate reveals rich caramel, fig compote, and dusty cinnamon, intertwined with orchard fruit and a touch of molasses. Ugni Blanc’s natural acidity brings lift and tension, balancing toasted oak, honeyed apricot, and gentle nutmeg spice with remarkable poise.

Finish:
Long and resonant, with lingering echoes of spiced fruit, toasted oak warmth, and soft citrus peel — a refined and enduring close that reflects both age and varietal expression.

Quick Overview