Château d’Armailhac 2022

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’Armailhac brothers who were riverboat captains on the Gironde estuary.  The wines were sold under the label Mouton d’Armailhac, and the Armailhac 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 Pauillac 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.  

"Rocking levels of darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, and spicy notes all emerge from the 2022 Château D'Armailhac, a blockbuster from this château that has ripe, velvety tannins, a beautiful mid-palate, and outstanding length. Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, this is easily the finest Armailhac I’ve tasted. It already offers pleasure today yet deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will evolve for 20-30 years if well stored." - Jeb Dunnuck, (02/28/2025), Ratings: 96

"Strongly scented and perfumed on the nose, dark fruits, lively and lithe, supple and smooth on the palate, richly concentrated in terms of fruit density but sleek and stylish on the palate with a burst of bright and fresh blackcurrants and black cherries. Has a tang to it, the acidity and liveliness fills the mid palate before the stony tannins come in towards the end and give this bite and focus. More tense and streamlined than Clerc Milon, but so poised and finessed. This has bite and tension, the Cabernet speaks with liquorice, tobacco and clove subtly giving the spice at the end, but also a fresh mintiness. You can taste the gravel and the clay, putting the terroir in the glass. Really quite profound with concentrated fruit, juiciness and mouthwatering acidity. Fresh and lifted on the finish, you want more of this, but it will take some time to be more charming given its serious nature right now. One to wait for and be glad you did. 3.83pH. 11.3% press wine - usually at 7-8% maximum. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. HVE3 certified. Tasted twice. 50% new barrels." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, (05/25/2023), Ratings: 95

"Another wine that showed beautifully on multiple occasions, the 2022 Château D'Armailhac checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a full-bodied, ripe, sexy profile that carries lots of blueberry, cherry, and cassis fruit, notes of spice, leafy herbs, and chocolate, velvety tannins, good acidity, and a great finish. It should have a broad, lengthy drink window." - Jeb Dunnuck, (05/10/2023), Ratings: 94-96

"Punch of black fruits and spice, concentrated, impressive vintage of d'Armailhac, quite different in character from this estate even five or 10 years ago - rarely has this wien shown such depth and powerful character. Second vintage with Lucie Lauilhé as technical director. Harvest September 8 to 27." - Jane Anson, (03/07/2025), Ratings: 94