The opening nosings find smells of roasted chestnut and baked pear; later sniffings pick up succulent notes of pineapple, caramel, black raisins, prunes and old oak. The palate entry is creamy textured and semisweet; at the midpalate the flavor becomes integrated and very nutty/woody. Concludes oily, semisweet and oaky. Best Buy.

Rather dark in color for a six-year-old, Marie Duffau Napoléon is almost nut brown. Soft, warm orange aromas and sweet, round flavors of milk chocolate, sponge cake, and a spicy, pithy finish. Solid and affordable for such a young Armagnac. (Bas-Armagnac, 40% abv.)