When the Château de Pichon-Longueville property in Bordeaux was sold, the Château de Briat was retained by Baron Raoul de Pichon-Longueville's maternal ancestors, the de Luze family.

Gilles de Luze in 2002

In 2003 tragedy struck when Gilles de Luze, a former literary editor in Paris, died in an automobile crash. He was 53 years old. The fatal accident took place in the early hours of morning just south of Paris as de Luze was returning home from a independent producers salon in Lyon. De Luze's wife, Adeline, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Gilles de Luze was an editor at the Larousse editing house in Paris for most of his adult life, but returned to his family's estate in the small Bas-Armagnac town of Mauvezin (population 213) in the early nineties when his father retired.

In the late 1990s, de Luze teamed together with four other armagnac producers (Yves Grassa from Château de Tariquet, Martine Lafitte from Domaine Boingnères, Jean de Boisesson from Château de Lacquy and Pierre Laberdolive or Armagnac Laberdolive) and formed the Cru Légendaires, a grouping which promoted traditional, rare and deluxe cask strength vintage armagnacs from their independent estates in the Bas-Armagnac.

It was in the atmosphere of three star restaurants and fine wine merchants that de Luze character thrived; he brought a rare intelligence to the small world of artisan producers, provided a breath of fresh air to Armagnac's governing bureau (the BNIA) and served as an energetic and dignified spokesman for small growers within this humbly regal appellation.

The de Luze's left one son, Stephane who, in his early-thirties, suddenly found himself as head of the historic château.

Stephane soon enlisted the help of his cousin Jean de Mareuil. At the château, located between Lagrange and Labastide, the two continue the production techniques perfected by Gilles. Seven hectares of vines are divided between Bacco, Folle Blanche and Colombard. Unlike many other armagnac producers, Briat is a firm believer in keeping yields low and is not opposed to cutting fruit to give a final harvest of 60 hl/ha. Colombard is a particular favorite, and the eau de vie is made strictly with this grape.

Each varietal is distilled separately to 52°, and all of the 10 barrels aged at the property during a given year see new wood. After two or three years, they are transferred to older casks and, apart from an airing once a year, left to rest in the spacious yet primitive chai. Topping up is not practiced; at Briat, they prefer to let the level fall, promote air contact, and therefore create a spirit that is less aggressive. Assemblage of various grapes takes place after a minimum of four years and, at times, not until their 10th birthday.

With the glass in hand, the armagnacs of Briat do not let the consumer down. In fact, they epitomize the magical wonders that one can find floating in a glass of Gascon spirit. As grape blends, barrels and vintage conditions vary, there is no standard that is replicated year after year. What is consistent is tremendous quality: always lots of nose, a rich palate feel, and excellent length.

A barrel of Hors d'Age aging in the Briat cellar.