Wine Advisor
D'Armailhac 2011
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Chunky cherry and black currant fruit emerge from this medium-bodied, tasty, pure Pauillac. Although there is not a lot of depth, texture or length, what is there is pleasant. Drink it over the next 7-10 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2011 Chateau d’Armailhac is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Tasted on three occasions, it is has fine purity with black cherries and raspberry leaf, a less flamboyant d’Armailhac that usual at this early juncture. The palate is medium-bodied with a sappy, succulent entry that has fine tension. I appreciate the balance and substance of this d’Armailhac that shows impressive cohesion and a fine, chalky tannic frame towards the finish. This should turn out to be a respectable 2011. Tasted April 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A strong effort from this property situated between Pontet-Canet and Mouton Rothschild, d’Armailhac’s blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot was harvested between September 14-24. Its deep ruby color is accompanied by abundant aromas of black fruits, white chocolate, licorice and flowers. Medium-bodied, expressive, savory, pure and long with sweet tannins, it should drink well for 15+ years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2011 Château d'Armailhac has a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, tobacco and graphite, a little more energy here compared to the 2011 Pontet Canet. The palate has a slight greenness on the entry, fine acidity, a bit angular in style with some attenuation on the tobacco and graphite finish. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
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.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is fresh and clean with citrus and currant character. Medium body, fine tannins and a delicate finish. A little lean but I like it. Clarity of fruit here. Give it three or four years to soften. Try in 2017.
About the Producer
The existence of Château d’Armailhac dates back to the late 17th century, as evidenced in a land register from 1680 which mentions the brothers Dominique and Guilhem Armailhacq, owners of parcels of land in Pauillac. Another land register from 1750 notes that their descendants have “planted with vines” the family estate, covering 15 to 16 hectares (37-39 acres). By the end of the 18th century the estate has grown to 52 hectares (128 acres) but the brokers of the time describe its wine as “disappointingly thin”. Throughout the following century, Mouton d’Armailhacq’s owners work unceasingly to improve its quality, using techniques such as topping-up, running-off, barrel disinfection and fining. Their efforts are rewarded in 1831, when the wines of Mouton d’Armailhacq sell for twice as much as their more highly reputed neighbours. The ultimate recompense, Château Mouton d’Armailhacq is given Fifth Growth status in the 1855 Classification – the same one which made Château Mouton Rothschild “First of the Seconds”. The “first wine”, the only one authorised to bear the growth’s name, is distinguished from the “second wine”, less rich and sold for consumption in local taverns. In 1931, the young Baron Philippe de Rothschild became a minority shareholder of the Société Anonyme du Domaine de Mouton d’Armailhacq, then in 1933 acquired all the shares from the Comte de Ferrand in return for a life annuity. A year later, on the Comte de Ferrand’s death, he became the effective owner of the estate. The Mouton d’Armailhacq portfolio included the Société Vinicole de Pauillac, forerunner of what is now Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA. Inseparable from Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Mouton d’Armailhacq houses all the technical and agricultural equipment for the two estates in its extensive outbuildings. From 1956 to 1988, the wine was called Mouton Baron Philippe, then Mouton Baronne Philippe. A Fifth Growth of acknowledged quality, its original identity as Château d’Armailhac was patly restored in 1989.
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