INTRODUCTION TO GELAS ARMAGNAC
In 1865, Guillaume Gélas, a respected barrel maker, bequeathed his business to his son Baptiste, who in turn created the Maison Gélas. He duly moved into the premises currently occupied by the firm,and embarked on the business of making and
selling Armagnacs. After the Second World War, Pierre followed in his father’s footsteps, and lent the family firm an international dimension. In 1950, he was the first Gers businessman to develop a commerce in wines and various spirits. He revolutionized his times by offering on an exclusive basis Armagnacs hailing from the terroirs or local regions of Bas Armagnac and La Ténarèze, at their natural degree of ageing, without reduction. This unique selection of proprietors lends the resulting product a finereputation at the grandest of tables, be it in France or abroad.
Today, Pierre’s son Philippe, representing the fourth generation of the Gélas family to take the reins, has been running the firm since late 2001. He is carrying on in the innovative spirit of his forebears by introducing single varietal Armagnac, thus asserting the differences of the Maison Gélas:
BAS ARMAGNAC GELAS Tasting notes
Bas-Armagnac 18 ans (Aged 18 years in oak) 40 %, Baco and Ugni Blanc
- Producer: Maison Gélas - Vic-Fezensac (Gers)
- Appearance: Brilliant amber colour.
- Nose: Fresh with orange blossom on a crystallized fruit finish.
- In mouth: Smooth and harmonious attack on liquorice taste. Long balanced finish with sweet peppers and smoked wooded flavours.
- Empty glass: Smooth liquorice and white pepper.
Bas Armagnac Gelas 25 ans (Aged 25 years in oak) 40% 70 % Ugni blanc 20% Baco 10% Folle Blanche.
- Producer: Maison Gélas - Vic-Fezensac (Gers)
- Appearance: Deep amber colour and a perfect limpidity.
- Nose: Amazing smooth nose of crystallized apricot, bitter orange with a bit of nutmeg.
- In mouth: A straight and fullness attack. We start with liquorice and violet taste to ending with an outstanding “rancio”. A long, rich and wide finish. A great Bas Armagnac with a strong character.
- Empty glass: A very elegant liquorice and crystallized apricot.