Lemorton Vintage 1972 Vieux Calvados Domfrontais

Lemorton is a family-run business specialized in old vintage Calvados. The estate is situated in the Domfrontais AOC – the smallest appellation of Calvados, where the soils are rich in granite and schist, ideal for growing apples and pears.
 
Tasting notes
Amber with gold highlights. Smells rich, somewhere between apple and pear along with a toffee note. Complex nuances include licorice, almond, orange and woodsmoke. Very soft mouthfeel. Sexy Domfrontais. Excellent length.
 
More info on producer & region
While many people refer to it as an apple brandy, pears are also allowed in Calvados. The Northern part of Calvados, particularly the appellation Pays d'Auge, has a softer soil more conducive to the shallow roots of apple trees. Nearly all Calvados from the Pays d'Auge is made with apples alone.
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In contrast, the southern appellation of Calvados, the Domfrontais, has clay and limestone soil much more suited to the strong, deep roots of pear trees. Appellation law insists that at least 30% of the cider to be distilled in the Domfrontais is made from pears. This pear influence makes not only for a lighter-colored spirit, but also one which emits a more feminine and elegant bouquet.
 
The Lemorton family has a long history in the Domfrontais. Roger (right) is the fifth generation and his son (Didier, left, with his son) now runs the domaine. Their 9-acre property is planted with both apple and pear trees; the latter's influence is dominant--for every 3 apples in their Calvados, there are approximately 7 pears. All trees are planted high in order to preserve the orchards’ biodiversity, and when ready the ripe fruit is simply allowed to drop to the bed of grass below so the family can collect it.