Grape

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot

Its Origins

Château d'Armailhac, a 5eme Cru Classé Pauillac property, is located immediately next to Château Mouton-Rothschild - under whose auspices it is owned and produced. No other Bordeaux château has undergone as many name changes. In 1956 it was known as Mouton d'Armailhacq before it was renamed, first as Mouton Baron Philippe, then as Mouton Baronne Philippe. Since 1989 its original identity has been restored and it is now known as Château d'Armailhac. Baron Philippe de Rothschild bought the estate in 1933 and it remains in the hands of his daughter, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. D'Armailhac has 50 hectares of vineyards which are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (23%) and Petit Verdot (2%) The grapes are hand picked, de-stemmed and vinified in the traditional way. Wines are matured in a combination of new oak barrels (30%) and 2nd fill barrels from Mouton Rothschild. Production has improved significantly over the last decade, and now represents one of Pauillac's shrewdest buys.

What The Critics Say

93-94/100 James Suckling

"Opulent and powerful for d’Armailhac with blackcurrants, blackberries and black olives. Full-bodied, tannic and extremely muscular. Very well done indeed."

90-92/100 Vinous, Neil Martin

"The 2017 d’Armailhac has an opulent bouquet despite this comprising one of the highest percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon ever, which Philippe Dhalluin attributes to the maturity of the berries. There is some lovely cassis and blueberry fruit here with a smear of vanilla. The palate is structured with fine tannin, here the Cabernets are much more expressive with a fine bead of acidity, an attractive pencil lead tincture coming through towards the finish. This is a more floral d’Armailhac that will drink well for the next decades. [Readers should note that my sample included 60% new oak although the final blend will be 40%.] Tasted three times with consistent notes."

92/100 Wine Cellar Insider

"The opening act is black fruit, juicy plums, smoke and just a tip of licorice in the background. Intermission finds soft, fresh, sweet blackberries while a salty minerality lingers in the wings. The wine is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The harvest took place from September 6 to September 29."