{"id":525,"date":"2026-03-04T20:54:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T20:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amateurspirit.com\/?post_type=product&p=525"},"modified":"2026-03-23T06:25:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T06:25:42","slug":"bourdilet-1979","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/amateurspirit.com\/?product=bourdilet-1979","title":{"rendered":"Bourdilet 1979"},"content":{"rendered":"

Silas Marcellin<\/strong> is the grandson of Louis Marcellin<\/strong>, a renowned producer of Armagnac T\u00e9nar\u00e8ze since 1962. In 2011, Silas took over the family estate, continuing the work across three core activities: winemaking, distillation, and prune cultivation. Today the domaine spans 46 hectares and produces C\u00f4tes de Gascogne wines, Armagnac, Floc de Gascogne, and Agen prunes. Armagnac was distilled by a traveling distiller until 1986, after which the family still took over. This 1979 was therefore distilled by the travelling still. Distillation now takes place on a restored 15\u2011plate Bardinet column still, a design well known to rhum agricole producers for its precision and aromatic clarity. The Ugni Blanc grapes, grown on clay\u2011limestone soils, yield Armagnacs that are both complex and powerful.<\/p>\n

Why the weathervane on the front label? On the various visits made to the domaine, the weathervane with the pigeon perched on top always seemed to be watching over the house, the vines, and the dovecote, acting like a witness to past and present – and perhaps gazing into the future. It stood out on several occasions and so seemed like a good fit this front label.<\/p>\n

For this edition, the amateur jury consisted of Steve Ury<\/strong> (USA), Valentin Audurier<\/strong> (France) and Sebastian Nadal<\/strong> (UK).<\/p>\n

This 1979 Armagnac T\u00e9nar\u00e8ze from Bourdilet was agreed upon by the jury for its abundance of bright citrusy fruits, floral perfume-like aroma, and generous rancio. Steve was first picked up on malty whisky-like notes and as it opened even could have placed it in Cognac’s Petite Champagne. “Very fruity, very nice” he concluded. Valentin appreciated the “high level acidity” and “zesty citrus” and commented on the nice rancio that gives the Armagnac tremendous charm. Sebastian was particularly impressed by the Armagnac\u2019s \u201cfloral perfumery,\u201d\u00a0 “bright and zingy citrus,” and observed a nice complexity, something different to anything he has every tried before. “Endless on the finish” he concluded.<\/p>\n

All three tasters agreed on its zesty citrus, floral perfume, and complex and rounded nature. It\u2019s a mature Armagnac showing signature T\u00e9nar\u00e8ze structure and much more: citrus fruit, rancio, and the depth and complexity that only decades in oak can give.<\/p>\n