Appellations

Armailhac 2021

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes

Fragrant nose with brambly fruit and floral notes. Fresh, fruity and sapid on the palate with grainy tannin in behind. Lacks intensity but zest and energy to compensate. More for the medium than long term.

Score: 16 James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2026-2035 Date: 11 May 2022

A firm and linear young red with currant and graphite character. Medium body. Fresh finish. Crunchy acidity. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 13% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 May 2022

The 2021 d'Armailhac, aged in 50% new oak, is the first vintage to be vinified in the new winery, which was completed a month before the harvest. It has quite a strict bouquet, tight and focused, with broody dark berry fruit, pencil box and tar, quite classic in style. The palate is harmonious and smooth with fine tannins, just the right amount of acidity and a sapid finish that lingers in the mouth. Residual graphite notes linger after the wine has exited. Very fine. (13.0% alcohol)

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2025-2045 Date: 01 May 2022

The 2021 d'Armailhac is elegant and lithe in feel. Bright floral and savory notes lend freshness throughout a core of red berry fruit. In this tasting, Armailhac comes across as a bit vegetal, with slightly angular contours that hopefully will resolve with élevage. This is the first vintage made in the château's new cellar.

Score: 88 - 90 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2029-2041 Date: 01 May 2022

Reminiscent of a modern-day version of this estate's delicious 1999, the 2021 d'Armailhac is a terrific wine bursting with aromas of wild berries, cherries, exotic spices and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, it's fleshy and enveloping, with melting tannins and an ample core of sweet, succulent fruit. This is a pleasure-bent wine that will offer a broad drinking window.

Score: 91 - 93 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 29 April 2022

First year with the new cellar at Armailhac, and a new technical director, as Lucie Lauilhé has replaced Jean-Paul Paultert, with Paultert retiring after 29 years in the post (Lauilhé was only present for harvest and blending, 2022 will be her first full year). There are big plans for this property, but in 2021 it is playing things a little safe, with juicy balance, delicate tannins, plenty of grip and precision to the raspberry and blackberry fruits, but a little soft on the finish. There is due to be a 2nd wine in the future, which will help with concentration, but the signature of 2021 is evident here. A little more Cabernet Franc, after poor fruit set with the Melrot. 3.73ph. 50% new oak, 60IPT. Tasted twice.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com Date: 07 April 2022

A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2021 Château D'Armailhac is a ripe, supple, very pure expression of the château, offering pretty cassis and black raspberry fruit as well as medium-bodied richness, wonderfully integrated oak, ripe tannins, hints of violets and spice, terrific balance, and just a seamless, pure, elegant style that shines in the vintage.

Score: 90 - 92 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 06 February 2022