Appellations

Armailhac 2017

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2017 d'Armailhac is juicy, luscious and super appealing. Sweet red cherry, red plum, cedar, tobacco and licorice are all pushed forward in a racy, mid-weight Pauillac that will drink well right out of the gate.

Score: 89 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2029 Date: 01 March 2020

The 2017 d’Armailhac, which was bottled in June 2019, has an attractive bouquet with blackberry and bilberry fruit. The oak is nicely integrated, maybe a little conservative compared to other vintages though that is in keeping with the style of the year. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a little "angular" perhaps, with a fine bead of acidity and touches of iron-tinged red fruit on the finish. Probably an earlier drinking d’Armailhac, but one with plenty of character.

Score: 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2035 Date: 01 February 2020

A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2017 D'Armailhac is deep garnet-purple in color and very open on the nose with expressive notes of crushed black cherries, black raspberries and cassis with hints of baking spices, lavender and wood smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with a great core of vibrant red and black fruits, ripe, grainy tannins and superb freshness, finishing long and minerally.

Score: 90 - 92 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 27 April 2018

Very dark crimson with purple rim. Intense aroma of pure cassis and graphite, inviting mineral dustiness. Rich and full-fruited on the palate. Again, there's depth here as well as freshness. Chalky/chewy tannins on the finish but balanced by the fruit. Mouth-watering finish.

Score: 16 - 17 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2025-2037 Date: 27 April 2018

The 2017 Château d'Armailhac is an undeniable success in the vintage. Based on a rough blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that will see 35% new French oak, this medium to full-bodied, textured, shockingly opulent 2017 offers of terrific notes of black cherries, blackberries, spice box, and earth. With its impressive depth and density, it should drink nicely in its youth yet also cruise in the cellar.

Score: 91 - 93 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 23 April 2018

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

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 06 April 2018

Juicy and forward, with anise-tinged plum and cherry fruit backed by a light brambly structure. A lingering chalk echo adds length. This delivers nice latent depth.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 04 April 2018

The dry conditions in the summer hurt the Merlots in many areas, and consequently many wines have a higher level of Cabernet. Here, they have used the highest percentage in Armailhac since 2002. There's great energy to the pretty dark fruit; it's not fleshy but it has a lovely sense of direction with concentration and beautiful extraction. Fine tannins lend good grip through the palate. The drought rather than the frost impacted yields here, but only to 40hl/ha. Harvested 6-29 September. 40% new oak. All blends at Mouton completed by 1 December, the earliest ever.

Score: 91 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2025-2038 Date: 01 April 2018