Château d’Armailhac
Château d’Armailhac
Château d’Armailhac is a Pauillac Fifth Growth estate. It was historically part of the Mouton Rothschild estate. The name of the estate came from one of the first owners of the estate, Dominique d’Armailhacq. As early as 1740 the wine was sold under the name of “Mouton d’Armailhacq”. It was acquired by Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1934 and was for a time called Château Mouton d’Armailhacq. This estate was one of the first on the Left Bank to plant Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; they also have some of the oldest vines in the Médoc with around 20% date back to 1890.
Château d’Armailhac sits right between Mouton Rothschild and Pontet-Canet. Compared with neighbour Pontet-Canet, d’Armailhac remains very affordable and is an estate to look out for in top vintages.
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Wine Advocate (89)
The 1996 d'Armailhac is fully mature on the nose with dark plum, briary, cloves and quite a strong violet aroma. The palate is slightly aggressive on the entry with chalky tannin. The acidity is quite pronounced here, firm in the mouth, masculine for d'Armailhac with less flesh than other vintages, although there is decent freshness and spiciness towards the finish. You could drink this now but I might just afford it another 3-4 years to show its mettle. Tasted July 2016.$1,385.00 -
(12x75cl) 2000Wine Spectator (90)
Juicy red. Plenty of tobacco, berry and currant character in this. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a long finish. Best after 2008. 15,415 cases made. -JS$1,345.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2001 d’Armailhac is immediately more impressive on the nose compared to the 2000, offering darker and more vibrant, blacker fruit compared to the previous vintage. There is more fruit concentration and much more intensity. The medium-bodied palate features sappy black fruit laced with seaweed and orange peel. A lovely underlying saline edge lends tension toward the finish. This d’Armailhac is maturing beautifully and clearly has the upper hand over its millennial counterpart.$731.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)
The 2001 d’Armailhac is immediately more impressive on the nose compared to the 2000, offering darker and more vibrant, blacker fruit compared to the previous vintage. There is more fruit concentration and much more intensity. The medium-bodied palate features sappy black fruit laced with seaweed and orange peel. A lovely underlying saline edge lends tension toward the finish. This d’Armailhac is maturing beautifully and clearly has the upper hand over its millennial counterpart.$865.00 -
Wine & Spirit Magazine (90)
Mouton continues to improve on this neighboring property just to the south, where it's created a delicious 2004. The texture is succulent and velvet-soft, the flavors black, shot through with a brighter red-berry aroma. It's juicy and ready to drink with steak frites; this should grow more complex over the next several years.$535.00 -
(12x75cl) 2005Wine & Spirit Magazine (92)
Located in the north of Pauillac, between Mouton and Pontet-Canet, this 123-acre estate is also part of G.F.A. Baronne Philippine de Rothschild. The aroma balances meaty fruit and mineral scents, and while the pungent red fruit is always there, the tannins seem to increase their intensity with air. They cover the pure black cherry flavor like a powerful skin, deep and plush with an iron-knuckle punch. The tannins don't go away, but their inner velvet eventually wins out. This has improved significantly since the en primeur tastings and will continue to evolve for ten to 15 years in the bottle.$1,021.60 -
(1x150cl) 2005Wine & Spirit Magazine (92)
Located in the north of Pauillac, between Mouton and Pontet-Canet, this 123-acre estate is also part of G.F.A. Baronne Philippine de Rothschild. The aroma balances meaty fruit and mineral scents, and while the pungent red fruit is always there, the tannins seem to increase their intensity with air. They cover the pure black cherry flavor like a powerful skin, deep and plush with an iron-knuckle punch. The tannins don't go away, but their inner velvet eventually wins out. This has improved significantly since the en primeur tastings and will continue to evolve for ten to 15 years in the bottle.$208.00 -
Wine Advocate (90)
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Château d'Armailhac has a feisty bouquet with tobacco and sage-infused red berry fruit that seem open for business, unlike some of the other 2006 Pauillac wines. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite supple tannin. There is good weight in the mouth with mint-infused blackberry fruit, fine structure with admirable precision on the finish. All it lacks is the persistence of some of its peers, yet it still constitutes a very fine Pauillac that I probably under-rated out of barrel. Tasted January 2016.$941.00 -
(1x75cl) 2007Wine Advocate (90)
Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 D'Armailhac has a very attractive bouquet with ample black fruit laced with violets and blueberry, quite Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannin, a crisp line of acidity, commendable structure and a lovely graphite-tinged finish that lingers long in the mouth. This appears to have improved in recent years, and it comes thoroughly recommended. Tasted February 2017.$98.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (91)
90-92 Barrel sample. Balanced, open wine, full of ripe blackcurrant fruits. It has a fine, rich density which shows well alongside the acidity of a young wine. It finishes with delicious black fruits.$1,015.00 -
Chateau d’Armailhac is typically light in style for Bordeaux yet with plenty of Pauillac character. The 2009 is higher in Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a deeper ruby colour with more spice and cedar notes. Wine from this great vintage will improve for well over a decade.$994.00 -
(1x75cl) 2009Chateau d’Armailhac is typically light in style for Bordeaux yet with plenty of Pauillac character. The 2009 is higher in Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a deeper ruby colour with more spice and cedar notes. Wine from this great vintage will improve for well over a decade.$93.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
I loved the nose on the 2010 Château D'Armailhac, a spicy, complex, beautifully perfumed Pauillac based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Ripe red and black fruits, saddle leather, flowery incense, and spicy, chocolaty nuances all give way to a ripe, medium to full-bodied Armailhac that has sweet, polished tannins, a balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s clearly in its prime drinking window yet has another 10-15 years to go. Drink 2025-2040.$787.00 -
(1x75cl) 2010Jeb Dunnuck (94)
I loved the nose on the 2010 Château D'Armailhac, a spicy, complex, beautifully perfumed Pauillac based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Ripe red and black fruits, saddle leather, flowery incense, and spicy, chocolaty nuances all give way to a ripe, medium to full-bodied Armailhac that has sweet, polished tannins, a balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s clearly in its prime drinking window yet has another 10-15 years to go. Drink 2025-2040.$92.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
I loved the nose on the 2010 Château D'Armailhac, a spicy, complex, beautifully perfumed Pauillac based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Ripe red and black fruits, saddle leather, flowery incense, and spicy, chocolaty nuances all give way to a ripe, medium to full-bodied Armailhac that has sweet, polished tannins, a balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s clearly in its prime drinking window yet has another 10-15 years to go. Drink 2025-2040.$511.00 -
James Suckling (92)
The wine has a lovely softness to it with a chocolate, currant and blueberry character. Full body, with velvety tannins and juicy finish. Savory wine. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.$633.00 -
James Suckling (92)
The wine has a lovely softness to it with a chocolate, currant and blueberry character. Full body, with velvety tannins and juicy finish. Savory wine. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.$303.00 -
(12x75cl) 2012Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)
A very pretty wine for the year, the 2012 d'Armailhac is plush, open and seductive. Dark red cherry, tobacco, wild herbs, smoke, leather and game are all pushed forward in a pliant, supple Pauillac that is already quite open and expressive. Dark red cherry, plum, tobacco, smoke and licorice meld into the pliant finish, all with sweet floral overtones that add to the wine's considerable appeal.$697.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (91)
With great freshness, this is an attractive, fruity wine with final ripe berry flavors that are delicately leavened and given weight by tannins. There is already a drinkable balance from the fruit, although the wine needs more time to be in harmony. Drink from 2018.$127.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (91)
With great freshness, this is an attractive, fruity wine with final ripe berry flavors that are delicately leavened and given weight by tannins. There is already a drinkable balance from the fruit, although the wine needs more time to be in harmony. Drink from 2018.$351.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (91)
With great freshness, this is an attractive, fruity wine with final ripe berry flavors that are delicately leavened and given weight by tannins. There is already a drinkable balance from the fruit, although the wine needs more time to be in harmony. Drink from 2018.$289.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 d'Armailhac is bright, precise and finely sculpted. Expressive red stone fruit, flowers, mint, chalk and citrus abound in this vibrant, beautifully delineated Pauillac. Open-knit and expressive, with good depth and silky tannins, the wine exudes class. The fresh, invigorating style is classic 2014. This is a lovely showing. Tasted two times.$537.00 -
(24x37.5cl) 2014Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 d'Armailhac is bright, precise and finely sculpted. Expressive red stone fruit, flowers, mint, chalk and citrus abound in this vibrant, beautifully delineated Pauillac. Open-knit and expressive, with good depth and silky tannins, the wine exudes class. The fresh, invigorating style is classic 2014. This is a lovely showing. Tasted two times.$891.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 d'Armailhac is bright, precise and finely sculpted. Expressive red stone fruit, flowers, mint, chalk and citrus abound in this vibrant, beautifully delineated Pauillac. Open-knit and expressive, with good depth and silky tannins, the wine exudes class. The fresh, invigorating style is classic 2014. This is a lovely showing. Tasted two times.$366.00 -
Decanter (96)
Such a vibrant pink/purple rim to this, loud, full, bright, shining, rich and confident. Tannic and firm, full bodied with supple tannins that have spiced edges full of clove, aniseed and liquorice lacing the blackcurrant fruit. It's youthful still - the benefits of the magnum - with lots of tension but feels so well worked with structure and depth. I love the restraint on show, it's clearly powerful yet there is supreme elegance. Stylish, full of life and of further potential. Don't drink this yet, hold on to it for at least another 5-10 years.$674.00 -
Decanter (96)
Such a vibrant pink/purple rim to this, loud, full, bright, shining, rich and confident. Tannic and firm, full bodied with supple tannins that have spiced edges full of clove, aniseed and liquorice lacing the blackcurrant fruit. It's youthful still - the benefits of the magnum - with lots of tension but feels so well worked with structure and depth. I love the restraint on show, it's clearly powerful yet there is supreme elegance. Stylish, full of life and of further potential. Don't drink this yet, hold on to it for at least another 5-10 years.$391.00 -
Decanter (96)
Such a vibrant pink/purple rim to this, loud, full, bright, shining, rich and confident. Tannic and firm, full bodied with supple tannins that have spiced edges full of clove, aniseed and liquorice lacing the blackcurrant fruit. It's youthful still - the benefits of the magnum - with lots of tension but feels so well worked with structure and depth. I love the restraint on show, it's clearly powerful yet there is supreme elegance. Stylish, full of life and of further potential. Don't drink this yet, hold on to it for at least another 5-10 years.$384.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Opulent and powerful for d’Armailhac with blackcurrants, blackberries and black olives. Full-bodied, tannic and extremely muscular. Very well done indeed.$581.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
Opulent and powerful for d’Armailhac with blackcurrants, blackberries and black olives. Full-bodied, tannic and extremely muscular. Very well done indeed.$122.00 -
Decanter (94)
This is clearly one of the most concentrated d’Armailhacs that has been produced in recent decades owing to the extremely small and concentrated berries, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested at the end of the growing season. It’s also one of the best, with clear personality and power, and although still the least complex of the three Pauillacs in the Mouton stable, it should offer the best value giving a ton of rich fruit and cigar box frisson. 5% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. 3.7pH. Tasted several times – always with the same impression.$296.00

