Castarede 1939 Vintage Appellation Bas Armagnac Controlee 50 cl 40%

1939 was the year Europe went to war again. As the world held its breath, the grapes for this Armagnac were harvested and distilled in Gascony, unaware the bottle would not be filled until 67 years later, in 2006.

Expert's Description

Castarède 1939 Vintage Appellation is a French Bas-Armagnac, distilled in 1939 and bottled in 2006, at 40%.

The house of Castarède was founded in 1832, making it the oldest trading house in the entire Armagnac region. Across six generations, the family has curated one of France's most extensive archives of vintage Armagnac, with bottles dating back to 1893.

This 1939 vintage was distilled in Bas Armagnac, the finest of the district's three production zones, and matured in oak for 67 years before being bottled in 2006. Every bottle carries a back label guaranteeing its vintage and bottling date.

The 67 years of cask contact have given the Armagnac a depth and an integrated sweetness found only in the very oldest vintages, setting it markedly apart from the district's younger, more fruit-driven releases.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried apricot, old leather and a deep rancio tone.

Palate

Integrated sweetness meets spiced oak, tobacco and a hint of prune.

Finish

Very long and warm, with lingering wood notes and a trace of dark honey.

Specifications

Name: Castarède 1939 Vintage Appellation
Distillery: Castarède
Country: France
Type: French Bas-Armagnac
Vintage: 1939, bottled 2006
Age: 67 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: French Oak, Gascony

Flavour Profile

Rancio · Dried Apricot · Spiced Oak · Dark Honey

Investment Potential

As one of the oldest vintages in the range, Castarède 1939 carries a high investment potential. Pre-war Armagnac with a documented vintage and bottling date is among the most sought-after by collectors, and comparably old Bas Armagnac bottles often change hands at auction for well above their original release price.

Did You Know?

When this Armagnac was distilled in 1939, Castarède had already been a trading house for over a hundred years, and the family continued its work of harvesting and distilling grapes even as the Second World War broke out later that same year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Castarède 1939 Vintage Appellation Bas Armagnac Controlee

How rare is Castarède 1939?

It is a documented single vintage from 1939 with a back label confirming distillation and bottling date, making it one of the rarest bottles in the range.

Is Castarède 1939 worth it?

Given its extreme age, documented vintage and the house's status as the district's oldest trading house, the bottle speaks to the serious collector rather than the everyday drinker.

How should the bottle be stored?

Upright, cool and dark, ideally with the seal intact, so the precious liquid keeps its complexity.

Is it a good gift?

Yes, a 1939 vintage Armagnac is a natural gift for a collector or for a milestone occasion tied to the vintage year.

At what temperature should it be served?

Room temperature is ideal, letting the deep rancio notes unfold fully.

Which glass suits it best?

A tulip-shaped Armagnac or Cognac glass, which concentrates the complex aromas.

What defines Bas Armagnac?

Bas Armagnac is considered the finest of the district's three production zones and often yields the most integrated, deepest Armagnacs.

When was Castarède founded?

The house was founded in 1832 and is the oldest trading house in the entire Armagnac region, still family-owned across six generations.