Chateau d'Armailhac 2020

Exceptionally fruity and full-bodied, with a distinctive spiciness as well, velvety tannins, and a long, fruity yet juicy finish; it hasn’t lost any of its verve, and has even gained in expressiveness. Great fun.

Shows a core of lovely mulberry, cassis and plum reduction flavors that stretch out over a racy graphite note, in turn revealing flashes of anise, apple wood and sweet tobacco. Offers a late tug of warm earth, too. Rock-solid, with an old-school hint. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2038.

Dried flowers, lots of potpourri scents on the nose, very aromatic in a floral sense with some rich Cabernet blackcurrant flavours at the back. Smooth and lively, excellent acidity from the get-go, this has a nice bounce and push but also a creaminess and a touch of spice, so you get plenty of complexity on the palate. A touch rustic with clove, green pepper and cinnamon spice, but I love the slightly textured, grainy tannins and the freshness is there. Definitely leaner than I was expecting, with a saline finish and a wonderful crystalline aspect to the fruit. Clear, detailed, precise, with a sense of classicism.

Bright aromas of currants and raspberries, oranges, and roses. Peach skin. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy and velvety tannins. So much finesse and balance. It’s savory and slightly salty. 59% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Drink after 2027.

The 2020 d'Armailhac has all the fruit of the en primeur wine, and all the tannin too, almost like a barrel sample. I imagine the 2020 is going to need at least a few years to shed some of that tannic clout. Dark red cherry, red plum, pomegranate, blood orange, iron, white pepper and mint literally saturate the palate. The 2020 is a dense, plush d'Armailhac. It's a real head-turner.

Blackberries and black currants define the nose, palate, and character of this classy Pauillac. The wine offers vibrancy, chewy textures, and nuances of mint, tobacco leaf, cedar, peppery spices, and tobacco wrapper. Classic, classy, refined, and with ample layers of sweet, lush, dark fruits with the tannins to age, this will drink well early, yet it will also evolve quite well. Drink from 2026-2050.

Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, opaque core, delicate rim brightening. Intense red wild berry fruit, hints of cassis, lime zest, inviting bouquet. Taut, red cherry, vivid, integrated tannins, lively acidic arc, fresh and long lasting, already approachable, salty finish. (2023-2040).

Great purity and intensity, very Cabernet and very Pauillac with violet, crème de cassis, ripe dark fruit, fine spices, and very mild oak underneath. The palate is sapid and fluid with great density, grainy fine tannin, a good sense of freshness both in terms of acidity and tannin, with a long, pure finish.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: (59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot) Dense, dark, fresh, elegant bouquet; cassis, slate, blackberries, currants, fine woods, subtle licorice. Dense, dark, elegant palate with dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a rich and diverse aromatic profile, a tightly woven, finely muscular structure, and a long, fresh finish.

(59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot) Dense, dark, fresh, elegant bouquet: cassis, slate, blackberries, currants, fine woods, delicate licorice. Dense, dark, elegant palate with dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, powerful, complex aromatics, tightly woven, finely muscular structure, long, fresh finish. 18/20 2027 - 2050

Nuanced and finessed, with understated power delivering top notes of violet and peony, showcasing the balance and freshness of 2020 at this property, and carving out its difference from siblings Mouton and Clerc Milon. A saline kick on the finish, and a wave of campfire smoke. Harvest from September 10 to 29, 50% new oak for ageing. Last vintage in the old cellar at this château, and the last full vintage of Jean-Paul Voelert as director.

The 2020 d'Armailhac is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it strolls out of the glass with ready-to-go scents of black raspberries, cherry preserves, and warm cassis, followed by suggestions of menthol and dark chocolate. The medium-bodied palate is coated with juicy black fruits with a soft texture and just enough acidity, finishing with a real skip in its step.

It has lost none of its charm and remains just as approachable and indulgent, expressing a highly enticing bouquet of red fruits. The very fine tannins are perfectly integrated, and the finish leaves a lovely impression of freshness.

A generous, seductive nose of blackberry and dark fruits, both fresh and airy. Great finesse, and still that beautiful density, here more athletic than the past’s rugby player in a tuxedo, even if he hasn’t taken off his tie. A wine that leaves us with a powerful, deliciously saline finish.

The year unfolded fairly serenely: aside from the risk of frost early in the season and the rain in May, the summer was particularly dry, yet the vines did not suffer. D’Armailhac stands out for its freshness and its compact, somewhat firm tannins that are perfectly integrated. They provide a solid backbone and ensure excellent ageing potential. An expressive, powerful and harmonious wine with a bright future ahead.

The nose is fruity, elegant and offers concentration (with delicacy/finesse), power (in finesse) and depth. It reveals notes of vibrant boysenberry, vibrant blackcurrant and, more subtly, cornflower, blueberry and licorice, combined with fine hints of fresh gravel, discreet touches of tea, graphite and cardamom. The palate is fruity, fresh, tangy and offers lovely definition, indulgence, a tangy backbone, a discreetly tight feel, an elongated/long profile, as well as fine tension, aromatic purity and a lovely gravelly character. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/pulpy blackcurrant, juicy/fresh blackberry and, more subtly, bright cherry, combined with touches of small red berries, hints of violet and cherry blossom, fine hints of racy minerality, chocolate, toastiness and discreet hints of caramelization. Good length. The tannins are precise, racy and finely tight. A subtle hint of roasting and cocoa bitterness (a lovely handling of bitters) on the finish/persistence.

Beautiful deep, dark red. Highly aromatic nose, fruity and subtle, revealing even more beauty with a swirl. Very pure. Precise on the attack, perfumed mid-palate, with classy texture and a silky, melting body; the wine rises in the last third of the palate on fine richness and ultimately becomes impossible to spit. Superb balance. A delight!

Supple and dense, this is a very straight wine with a clean, classic profile. Its fresh aromas of small berries, root, roasted pepper, and its grainy tannins all lend a certain liveliness. A serious wine built for long aging.

93–95. Barrel Sample. Dense with spicy black fruits and some dark chocolate flavors, this is going to be a fine vintage from this estate with the same winemaking team as Mouton-Rothschild. The concentration of the wine brings out the potential of this now important property.