2023, Château d'Armailhac, PAUILLAC

Last Year EP $86.00-

This good value classed growth (5th) Pauillac has been in Rothschild ownership since 1933. It is made by the same wine-making team as Mouton Rothschild.
The 2023 vintage is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

High Cabernet, as is the story of the vintage on the Left Bank. A wine that also continues the new story of Armailhac following serious investment in vineyards and cellar, and technical director Lucie Lauilhé. Bright and vivid from the first moment, layered cassis, crushed mint, liquorice root, crushed rocks, an excellently precise, structured and textured Armailhac. Love it. 94 Jane Anson.

There’s a powdery and open texture to this red. Full-bodied and layered with a pretty and weightless texture. Blackcurrants and blueberries and an orange-peel undertone. Velvety texture at the end. 93-94 James Suckling.

The 2023 d'Armailhac is an attractive effort, bursting with aromas of cherries, raspberries, liquorice and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with a pretty core of fruit, sweet powdery tannins and lively acids. 92-93 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

The 2023 d'Armailhac contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon to date. Its tightly wound bouquet demands encouragement from the glass, perhaps just missing the panache that elevated the previous vintage. You could argue that this seems more “serious.” The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a firm backbone. It’s a little pepperier than previous vintages, closing with a streamlined finish. Give this two or three years in bottle. 91-93 Neal Martin.