Château d’Armailhac 2023

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.  

"A dark and intense red with a crimson hue, the wine releases red fruit aromas accompanied by light and subtle floral notes as well as delicate touches of candy that combine harmoniously with black cherry. Smooth and precise, it reveals refined, elegant tannins along with freshness and beautiful balance. That impression persists, accompanied by pleasant spice and pepper notes, then ripe fruit flavours that linger long on the finish." - The Team at Château d'Armailhac

"High Cabernet, as is the story of the vintage on the Left Bank. A wine that also continues the new story of Armailhac following serious investment in vineyards and cellar, and technical director Lucie Lauilhé. Bright and vivid from the first moment, layered cassis, crushed mint, liqourice root, crushed rocks, an excellently precise, structed and textured Armailhac. Love it. Harvest September 7 to 30. 80ha in production, 50% new oak barrels for ageing." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (04/15/2024), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2030-2046

"Including slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, the 2023 Château D'Armailhac is based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new oak. It's a ripe, medium to full-bodied, spicy, impressive Pauillac that has both red and black fruits, ripe, round, velvety tannins, the fresher, vibrant style of the vintage, and some classy tobacco and lead pencil aromatics. It's going to need at least 4-5 years of bottle age to come together, but it’s beautiful wine in the making. The alcohol is 13.5%, and it has a pH of 3.75." - Jeb Dunnuck, (05/13/2024), Ratings: 92-94

"The 2023 d'Armailhac is an attractive effort, bursting with aromas of cherries, raspberries, licorice and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with a pretty core of fruit, sweet powdery tannins and lively acids, it's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot—which is a rather high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon for this address." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, (04/26/2024), Ratings: 92-93