Castarede 1940 Vintage Appellation Bas Armagnac Controlee 50 cl 40%

As German troops marched into France in the summer of 1940, the harvest in Gascony carried on as it always had. The grapes were picked, pressed and distilled, with no one then knowing the bottle would not be filled until 66 years later.

Expert's Description

Castarède 1940 Vintage Appellation is a French Bas-Armagnac, distilled in 1940 and bottled in 2006, at 40%.

The house of Castarède was founded in 1832 and is the oldest trading house in the entire Armagnac region, run across six generations by the same family. Its archive of vintage Armagnac is among the most extensive in France, with bottles dating back to 1893.

This 1940 vintage was distilled in Bas Armagnac and matured for 66 years in oak before being bottled in 2006. Every bottle carries a back label documenting both the distillation and bottling years.

The many decades on cask have given the Armagnac a deep, integrated character, where the freshness of a young spirit has long since given way to a calm, mature complexity.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Prune, dark chocolate and a light smoky wood note.

Palate

Deep and spiced, with notes of toasted almond and a warm, almost syrupy sweetness.

Finish

Long and warm, with lingering spice and a final note of dried figs.

Specifications

Name: Castarède 1940 Vintage Appellation
Distillery: Castarède
Country: France
Type: French Bas-Armagnac
Vintage: 1940, bottled 2006
Age: 66 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: French Oak, Gascony

Flavour Profile

Prune · Dark Chocolate · Toasted Almond · Spice

Investment Potential

As a documented wartime vintage, Castarède 1940 carries a high investment potential. Armagnac from the early war years is rare, as production was curtailed in many places, and comparably old Bas Armagnac bottles often change hands at auction for well above their original release price.

Did You Know?

Despite the outbreak of war in 1940, the Castarède family continued distilling using the same methods as always, meaning this bottle is at its core a distillate from one of the most turbulent years in modern European history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Castarède 1940 Vintage Appellation Bas Armagnac Controlee

How rare is Castarède 1940?

It is a documented single vintage from the year war broke out, with a back label confirming the distillation and bottling date, making it a rare bottle.

Is Castarède 1940 worth it?

With its extreme age, documented vintage and the house's status as Armagnac's oldest trading house, the bottle is aimed primarily at the serious collector.

How should the bottle be stored?

Upright, cool and dark, ideally with the seal intact, so the complexity is preserved.

Is it a good gift?

Yes, a 1940 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 spice and chocolate notes unfold.

Which glass suits it best?

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

What defines Bas Armagnac?

Bas Armagnac is the finest of the three production zones and typically yields the deepest, most integrated Armagnacs.

When was Castarède founded?

The house was founded in 1832 and remains family-owned across six generations.