Château d'Armailhac 2020

Château d’Armailhac neighbors the famous First Growth property, Château Mouton Rothschild.  This 70-hectare vineyard hosts some very impressive terroir with mixtures of gravel, clay and limestone soil.  Here, plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot thrive in a T-shaped vineyard.  More than a few of these vines date all the way back to 1890 and are some of the oldest in all of Bordeaux.  The vineyards were previously a part of the vast holdings of Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur – the renowned Wine Prince - who simultaneously owned several First Growth estates including Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild, and Château Latour. Even prior to being classified as a Fifth Growth in 1855, the wines from Château d’Armailhac were renowned throughout France; the second wine often served at local taverns. The wines are friendly examples of excellent Left Bank terroir, and a perfect buy for value-oriented wine lovers.

Château d’Armailhac was initially a part of the vineyards that today comprise Château Mouton Rothschild.  It was purchased by the d’Armailhacq brothers who were riverboat captains on the Gironde estuary.  The wines were sold under the label Mouton d’Armailhacq, and the Armailhacq family spared no expense trying to churn out wines that were on par with the estate’s illustrious neighbors, Château Pontet-Canet and Château Brane Mouton - which later became Château Mouton Rothschild.  Eventually they drove themselves into debt, and in one last ditch effort to revitalize the property,  they decided to spend their income on rebuilding a château.  They couldn’t afford to finish the property, and to this very day the château stands half-finished.  This interesting looking building stands out from the other Pauillac properties piquing the interest of any who are fortunate enough to visit the estate.  Eventually Baron de Rothschild purchased it in 1934 and Château d'Armailhac has been a part of the Rothschild holdings ever since.

After purchasing the property, the Baron expanded the vineyards at Château d’Armailhac by 24 hectares.  The vines here are generally on the older side – ranging from an average age of fifty years.  The estate has some of the greatest quantities of Cabernet Franc in the entire Médoc, and a lot of it is older vines.  As the Cabernet Franc vines die off, they continue to increase their holdings of Cabernet Sauvignon.  Stylistically they are known for lighter styled Pauillacs wines.  This is probably because the majority of the vinification process for their grand vin takes place in stainless steel tanks, and the wines are aged in new oak barrels.

Château d’Armailhac has changed names many times throughout the years including Château Mouton d’Armailhac, Château Mouton-Baron-Philipe, and Château Mouton Baronne.  Though many consider the wines of Château d’Armailhac on the lighter side, newer vintages pack a bit more of a powerful Pauillac punch.  Regardless, these wines are best consumed when in their youth, and they are remarkably approachable. The later vintages have been steadily climbing in terms of quality, yet prices still remain fair.  It is clear this Fifth Growth property is one of the greater values on the Left Bank.  

"The 2020 d'Armailhac has a very pure bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, crushed iris flowers and hints of potpourri, tightly-wound at first but opening nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly angular tannins at first, fine acidity, pure blackberry and graphite notes becoming more accentuated towards the finish. That could only come from Pauillac. A classy d'Armailhac that bestows great terroir expression and sense of classicism." - Neal Martin, Vinous,  (02/15/2023), Ratings: 93

"A little austere on the opening beats. Carving out its place more clearly alongside its two Pauillac siblings, this has some excellent sappy dark fruits, plenty of tannins and power but also elegance and confidence. This Armailac is gorgeous, lovely mid palate dept, and plenty of juicy blueberry and bilberry fruit, with lift through the finish, 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 50% new oak. Harvest September 7 to 29. The new cellar with be finished for the 2021 harvest, but this one was made in the temporary cellar. I really like this, it has a floral edge, a juice and freshness and sense of elegance; a good two minutes after you have stopped tasting a wave of subtle smoke comes in - the after wash of a fine gravel terroir. 50% new oak, harvest from September 7 to 29 across the three estates." - Jane Anson, Best 2020 Pauillac Wines Tasted En Primeur, (04/30/2021), Ratings: 93

''The 2020 d'Armailhac is excellent, bursting with aromas of blackberries, violets, burning embers and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy palate that's broad but precise, with powdery tannins and a lively core of fruit. It's a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.'' - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, (04/06/2023), Ratings: 93, Drink: 2025-2045

"A blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, hitting 13.2% alcohol, the 2020 Château D'Armailhac sports a vivid purple hue to go with beautiful cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with lots of chalky minerality, toasty oak, graphite, and tobacco. It has the round, supple style of the vintage yet still brings ample tannic grip, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and should be drinkable with just 2-4 years of bottle age yet age just fine." - Jeb Dunnuck, (05/28/2021), Ratings: 92-94