Château Laballe Bas Armagnac 1984 700ml mandala today the vineyard is overlooked

today the vineyard is overlooked by a viewing platform known as ‘The Jetty’

single vineyard Shiraz from the most northern part of the estate on the corner of Olivers and Chalk Hill Roads in McLaren Vale

ceramic eggs and amphora

and all are crowd-pleasing and food-friendly wines

Made from 100% hand-picked Fiano grown at an elevation of 150 – 170m on the red Cambrian soils of the family’s vineyard in Heathcote

Château Laballe Bas Armagnac 1984 700ml mandala today the vineyard is overlookedThe great spirit of Gascony has been made in this part of south west France for at least seven centuries, predating Cognacwhich is made in the Charente Valley three hours to the northby a century and a half. And yet, while the global appreciation of this rural spirit has long lagged behind its urbane (and well marketed) cousin, Cyril Laudet and his wife Julie are here to ensure that Armagnac is no longer content to quietly sit by and play second