Armagnac Sempé

SEMPÉ is one of Armagnac’s most well known trading houses.

It was founded in 1934 Abel SEMPÉ, a Gascon tirelessly working in the service of his country and his region. He was a recognised member of the resistance for the Armagnac batallion then Senator for the Gers for many years.
Throughout his life he was very attached to the SEMPE brand. He developed it around the world in the 1950s with beautiful presentations that were always more and more innovative.

Since his death, SEMPÉ is still a reflection of his character.  A dynamic brand, innovative and always accessible to the greatest number in respect for the ancestral savoir-faire of Armagnac, that he carried in him.  Today SEMPÉ is part of a Gascon wine group that perpetuates and strengthens Abel’s brand. 

The roots of a savoir-faire

Our  eaux de vie mostly come from the Bas-Armagnac, the most famous region that covers a part of the Gers and the neighbouring Landes.

The selected white wines are preferably at a low degree of alcohol and are distilled only once between 53° and 65°.

The distillation takes place once the fermentation is finished to obtain aromatic eaux-de-vie that are complex and suitable for ageing in oak.  The reputation of our Armagnacs lies in an outline followed by our Cellar Masters and Distillers. Good acidity in the wines, a gentle and regular heat in our alambic, high quality oak barrels with the right toasting. 

These key elements will give us fine, smooth and round eaux-de-vie that retain the fundamentals of the terroir and their unique character. Balance and a long finish characterise our Armagnacs.

SEMPÉ’s golden rule – the pleasure of sharing.
This « philosophy » is simple, but demanding. It is the guiding thread of the brand since 1934. 

The young Armagnacs

Between 4 and 8 years: Armagnac VSOP

Colour old gold.
Nose of dried fruits, light wood with a touch of vanilla, intensity, complexity and roundness.
An Armagnac to start with in a tasting. 

The Great Ages

Colour deep amber.
Warm nose of ripe honeyed fruits and vanilla.
Long finish with spice.
An Armagnac for enthusiasts and connoisseurs. 

Vintage Armagnacs : from one single year of harvest

Variable from one to another, they evolve in the same taste spectrum from the more floral to those that express more « rancio » flavours, from a deep straw gold to the deepest amber, from fresh fruits to dried fruits and to heady  notes of spice.
Every year has its own distinctive character.
For great enthusiasts, the tasting quintessence is to be found in eaux-de-vie ranging from 20 to 50 years of ageing.

The bottling date is indicated on each of our vintages.  This confirms that from this date, the eau-de-vie is no longer ageing… unlike us…