Family-owned company
Castex
French Armagnac producer based in Castex-d'Armagnac (Bas-Armagnac). Present on the market with aged releases and vintage bottlings (including labels marketed by importers such as Moon Import).
- Castex-d'Armagnac · Gers (Bas-Armagnac) · France
- 1 product
Castex
Meet the producer
The story
The company is linked to the Château de Castex located in Castex-d'Armagnac, in the Bas-Armagnac area. Trade and industry sources connect ownership to the family of the Baron de Saint-Pastou and report a family presence on the site since the 18th century; the legal entity GFA CHATEAU CASTEX D'ARMAGNAC is registered as an agricultural land group.
Production philosophy
Available descriptions show a preference for traditional Armagnac methods: use of local grapes, distillation according to historical practices and a conservative approach to aging aimed at highlighting territorial expressiveness.
Territory
Bas-Armagnac, Castex-d'Armagnac (department of Gers) — area often referred to as Grand Bas-Armagnac / the aromatic 'heart' of the appellation.
Production method
According to the importer's descriptions, the white wine produced from the domaine's vineyards is distilled on-site in a wood-fired Armagnac still; the first aging phase takes place in local dark oak casks, then the spirits are transferred to more 'dead' barrels to continue maturation.
Distillation
Distillation in a traditional wood-fired Armagnac still; the importer notes collection of the heart at about 52°C and yields measured per pièce.
Ageing
Initial aging phase in local dark oak (an initial period of 3-4 years described as responsible for the 'noir' coloration), followed by transfer to 'dead' wood barrels for further maturation.
Characteristics
- Type
- Family-owned company
- City
- Castex-d'Armagnac
- Categories
- armagnac
- Bas-Armagnac
- grower-distiller
- family-run Armagnac producer
- vintage bottles
- Raw materials
- white wine (eaux-de-vie obtained from the grapes)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- local dark oak
- 'dead' wood barrels (barrels at the end of tannin release)
- Representative products
- Bas Armagnac Moon Import Noir 2000 Castex 70cl
- Château de Castex - bottiglie vintage (es. 1966, 1975, 2000)
What makes it distinctive
- Producer located in the heart of Bas-Armagnac (Castex-d'Armagnac).
- Availability of vintage vintages and aged bottles listed in international catalogs.
- Processes described as traditional: wood-fired still distillation and aging in local oak.