Whether we speak Armagnac or Liqueur, at Domaine de Saoubis everything is orchestrated by respect for nature and the desire to restore the intact strength of essences and plant aromas. Maurice de Mandelaëre has a mastery of it which is to be tasted with pleasure just as much as it is heard with passion.
An Armagnac in the heart of nature
The Domaine de Saoubis is established in Bas-Armagnac. Its 10 hectare vineyard is surrounded by woods and moors which provide natural protection. Because Maurice de Mandelaëre has been cultivating his vines there according to the principles of biodynamics since 1997. On this island of unspoiled nature, he works to produce Armagnac and liqueurs using the most respectful techniques for the plant and the terroir. Its range of spirits resembles it: sincere and joyful, subtle and heady. His story is as fascinating as his way of distilling Folle Blanche or infusing the organic plants that make the soul of his liqueurs. The Domaine de Saoubis smells of warm welcome and the subtle art of sublimating vines and plants.
Armagnac and Folle Blanche
The grape varieties planted here combine Folle Blanche, Colombard, and Baco in a favorable terroir. A distinctive feature of Domaine Saoubis, Folle Blanche dominates the vineyards. A demanding diva of the Armagnac region, it is distilled by Maurice de Mandelaëre to a process that pushes the free-run juice to its highest expression. His Blanche d'Armagnac stands out in its purest form, powerful in its aromatic alcohols, which a natural sweetness elegantly tempers. From this refined purity, it inherits its expressive name: White Diamond . When it is aged in oak, it first reveals itself in bursts of straw yellow in its youth. At Domaine de Saoubis, it is then called Opal . When it becomes the fruit of long aging, it develops a rich, fruity amber hue, free from any cosmetics that would disturb the balance and appearance bestowed by nature alone. Thus, all the Armagnacs from Domaine Saoubis are presented in a sunny color that no other arrangement darkens over the ages.
Liqueurs and Bisou
As with Maurice de Mandela, nature never fails to impress, and liqueurs add a special touch. Crafted through infusion or extraction, and refined by a masterful understanding of the plant, they celebrate Fig, Rose, Lemon, and Orange. Approaching more potent expressions, they incorporate Linden, Pine, and Lavender. Each blends the aromatic power of essential oils with the sweetness of organic sugars and the tempered strength of eaux-de-vie. And let's not forget that Saoubis is also known as "Le Bisou" (The Kiss). A playful pun for a voluptuous fortified wine that marries Baco grape must with 6-year-old Armagnac. This touch of tenderness, a warm and welcoming gesture, perfectly encapsulates the man and his work. With Maurice de Mandelaëre, everything is orchestrated by respect for nature and the art of restoring in his Armagnacs and liqueurs the intact strength of plant essences and powers.
Interview with Maurice de Mandelaà «re on Youtube