Laberdolive Armagnac House
Great Armagnacs synonymous of “terroir”, of “gourmandise” and “tradition”
Laberdolive is a house of Armagnac production and distillation which was created in 1856 when Domaine Jaurrey was acquired by Joseph Laberdolive. The property extends over 170 hectares of which 40 are planted with vines, located at the intersection between the Landes and Gers, in Bas-Armagnac.
“The history of Laberdolive started with my great-grandfather. The history of this house is the story of my family. Each generation has continued to produce and fill barrels of Armagnac.
At first we sold our production in barrels. It is my great grandfather who in 1904 began the marketing of Laberdolive Armagnac under the house label. Each generation brings it’s touch to the label; thus presenting different bottles of each generation next to each other we can tell by the label what generation produced them.”
Focus on Pierre Laberdolive, owner of the House of Laberdolive
“The reason why I took over for my father is very personal. I grew up here. I received a mission. I tried fulfill it, execute it and pass it on.
For 150 years we produce with the greatest respect for the terroir and tradition. We are one of the few owners, producers, growers, distillers of Armagnac. Everything comes from here, nothing is bought! Despite all these activities I see myself as a winemaker above all!
It is a product which must remain a delicious and exciting product. It is a local product that needs differ between each house. We must at all costs avoid standardization.”
Where does the name of your domain, the Domaine de Jaurey, come from?
“The domain name comes from Knight De Jaurey who lived here centuries ago. He said he was a Knight but he wasn’t at all, it was a fraud.”
What is typical of Laberdolive Armagnac House ?
“It is thanks to the terroir, the grape varieties but also the duration of aging that makes the difference.
All the grapes that are used come from our field.
The vines thrive on ‘sables fauves’. These are slightly sandy soils also comprise a mixture of limestone and very compact clay. These are very acidic soils with pH in the basement.
The duration of growing is also an important factor in the quality of Eau-de-vie. Our Bas-Armagnac age between 15 and 20 years minimum in oak barrels from Gascogne. The barrel is one of the most important parts in the manufacturing process of our Armagnacs! Indeed the quality of wood, its grain, its aromas and the fact that can be Gascogne oak are also key characteristics. Besides we are one of the few houses to have preserved an oak forest on our domain for design and manufacture of our barrels. The roots of our vines and our oak barrels that make our feed and mix in the same soil. The wood of our oak has its own characteristics, a terroir effect.
We have two Gascon stills to distill wines. The first dates from 1904, he was installed by my great-grandfather and operates over a wood fire. The second is a little more modern, dating 90s’ but also works on a wood fire.
Through it all our Eaux-de-vie naturally take their inimitable alcoholic strength Our Bas-Armagnac are powerful but do not too abrasive. They are lively, sweet, balanced and fruity.”
Side story:
For the record the Laberdolive House also produces a second brand named “Terre-Bouc.” The name of this range comes from the soil. Indeed the so-called ” Terre-Bouc” is a mixture of clay, of manganese and iron particles.
The name but also the label of this range honors the soil/teroir. To create the label Pierre Laberdolive took a paint brush dipped in water, passed the brush on the ground and made a mark with the” Terre-Bouc” and brushed it across the label. Thus this label was created.
Thanks to Pierre Laberdolive for his welcome.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Laberdolive
Jaurey, 40240 Labastide-d’Armagnac (France)
+33 (0)5.58.44.86.03
