2018 CH D'ARMAILHAC 5ÈME CRU PAUILLAC - 6x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, April 2019,
  Score: 91-93

  Spiced dark bramble fruit aromas, the sweet juicy fruit characters lead into hints of roasted coffee beans. The generosity of fruit is aided by a subtle gritty tannic core. A well rounded wine showing the integrity of structured Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and the ripe easy volume of the Merlot (30%).

• 

  Antonio Galloni, May 2019,
  Score: 90-92

  The 2018 d'Armailhac is lifted, floral and nicely focused, although a touch closed today. Bright red cherry and floral notes add nuance throughout. Medium in body and fresh, the 2018 has quite a bit of aromatic depth from the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, which helps hide the 14.5% alcohol nicely. Yields were just 32 hectoliters per hectare as opposed to 42-46, which is the norm. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Tasted two times.

• 

  Wine Advocate, April 2019,
  Score: 91-93

  The 2018 D'Armailhac (14.5% alcohol) is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, harvested September 12 to October 3. Deep garnet-purple colored, it reveals a very fruity nose of crushed blackberries, warm black cherries and mulberries plus hints of potpourri, spice cake and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, the decadent palate delivers loads of black berry layers and a firm, grainy frame with underlying freshness and an earthy finish. Wonderfully opulent D’Armailhac!

• 

  James Suckling, April 2019,
  Score: 93-94

  A soft and generous red with plum, tobacco and currant character and a delicious, full body and brightness. Juicy. Attractive, earthy aftertaste. Layered and dense.

• 

  Decanter, April 2019,
  Score: 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. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040

• 

  Matthew Jukes, April 2019,
  Score: 17.5+

  Very commanding and robustly fruited, this is a dense, velvety d’Armailhac with structure and layers of plum and chocolate fruit. Not overly complex but certainly luxurious and imposing this is a style of wine which will appeal to all palates thanks to its generosity and depth of flavour. There is certainly enough grip to allow this wine to expand in time and while the finish is quite tart, this will inevitably fade quickly.

• 

  Wine Spectator, April 2019,
  Score: 91-94

  Lively cassis and blackberry notes are liberally laced with briar, tobacco and smoky details. Reveals a serious chalky underpinning on the finish. A bit backward, but all the elements are here.

• 

  Julia Harding, April 2019,
  Score: 16.5+

  Black core. Scented with cassis and cassis leaf, lightly cedary. (This last is, unusually, a rare descriptor in this vintage.) Aromatic but not as much as Duhart-Milon tasted just after. Very tannic and chewy, dense, compact and telling you to stay away but not lacking fruit in the middle and the aroma is extremely inviting. Needs time to unfurl. Drink 2028-2038

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Producer

Château d'Armailhac

For years this château had an identity crisis having almost as many names as France has had epublics. It was created in the 18th century by Dominique d'Armailhac from a section of landituated between Mouton Rothschild and Pontet Canet and hence named Mouton d'Armailhac. In 1933, itwas acquired by the Mouton branch of the Rothschild family and in 1956, its name was changed toMouton-Baron-Philippe after Philippe de Rothschild. Almost 20 years later, the Baron Philippe'swife died, and he changed the name to Mouton-Baronne-Philippe in her memory. If that was not enough, in 1989 the name reverted back to d'Armailhac in order to curb confusion with their brand,Mouton Cadet. Despite its chameleon-like name changes, for the past 20 years its quality has been consistent...