Wine Advisor
D'Armailhac 2014
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Château d’Armailhac 2014 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot (slightly more Merlot than usual.) It will be matured in around one-third new oak. The opulence and richness is immediately apparent on the nose with hints of black olive infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannin, quite dense black fruit with a spicy attack towards the saline finish. It feels a little abrasive at the moment but the rough edges should be rounded by the time.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2014 d'Armailhac is bright, precise and finely sculpted. Expressive red stone fruit, flowers, mint, chalk and citrus abound in this vibrant, beautifully delineated Pauillac. Open-knit and expressive, with good depth and silky tannins, the wine exudes class. The fresh, invigorating style is classic 2014. This is a lovely showing. Tasted two times.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2014 d’Armailhac has an open, expressive, engaging bouquet with cedar and pencil-lead infused black fruit. Compared to its peers it feels more austere but that does not detract from its precision and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, well judged acidity, clean and precise with a compelling edginess towards the mineral-driven finish. Bon vin! Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2014 D'Armailhac has a clean and fresh bouquet with plenty of fruit: blackberry and raspberry coulis, a touch of cedar coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine line of acidity and a tangible level of mineralité on the tensile finish. This is a sophisticated d'Armailhac, probably one that will be approachable after 4-5 years. Recommended, even if I do not regard it as the greatest d'Armailhac in recent years.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2014 d'Armailhac has a high-toned, slightly volatile nose that needs to forage more composure and refinement. The palate is sweet and candied on the entry; maybe it was just picked a little tardy? It just misses the precision and clarity of the best Pauillac. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is very tannic yet polished and firm with currants, bark, and stones. Full-bodied and muscular and linear. Love the length. Beautiful. Try in 2020.
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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