Chateau de Millet Vintage Armagnac 2001
Chateau de Millet Vintage Armagnac 2001 is a 42% ABV, 750mL single-vintage Bas-Armagnac from the Dèche family estate outside Eauze in the Gers, Gascony — distilled in 2001 from estate-grown grapes and aged in 400-litre local oak barrels for over two decades before bottling, sealed in wax. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
Five generations of the Dèche family have farmed Château de Millet's 220 acres outside Eauze — clay-limestone alternating with the tawny sands (sables fauves) that define Bas-Armagnac — with about 25 acres under vine for Armagnac. Most production is blended into the house VS, VSOP and XO; the vintage casks are the exception, held back and bottled little by little, each one staying in barrel until the bottling date shown on its label. The 2001 is the approachable end of that vintage cellar: a single harvest with the depth of more than 20 years in oak.
Tasting profile: impressive depth — dried figs and prunes with vanilla, oak and spice and a lift of citrus zest; a creamy palate of caramel and toffee, dark chocolate, toasted almond and orange peel; a rich, smooth finish of warm spices and gentle oak with a slightly sweet, drying close. Browse the Chateau de Millet brand collection, more Armagnac, and the full spirits collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Serving note: neat in a tulip glass after dinner; a vintage Armagnac at this age also stands up beautifully alongside dark chocolate or a nutty dessert.
What makes a vintage Armagnac different? It is bottled from a single harvest year rather than blended across years: the brandy stays in oak until bottling, and the label carries the vintage and bottling dates.
How long was the 2001 aged? Over two decades in 400-litre local oak barrels — the estate's 2025 list gives the 2001 as 24 years of age.
What does it taste like? Dried fig and prune, vanilla and oak spice, caramel, toffee and dark chocolate with toasted almond and orange peel, and a warm, smooth finish.
What is the ABV and size? 42% ABV, 750mL.