Chateau d'Armailhac Pauillac 2014

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

92 pts Vinous
94 points James Suckling
92 points Wine Enthusiast

The vineyard of Château d'Armailhac, an 1855 Classified Growth under the name Mouton d'Armailhacq, covers 70 hectares (172 acres) in the northern part of Pauillac. An extension of the Carruades de Mouton plateau, the Plateau des Levantines et de l'Obélisque, made up of light and very deep gravelly soil, is the preferred terroir of Cabernet grapes. The deep gravelly soil of the Plateau de Pibran rests on a clay-limestone base, giving the Château d'Armailhac wines their characteristic refinement and elegance. The light gravelly soil of the Croupe de Béhéré is up to three meters deep.

The color is deep and dense. The nose, refined, exudes aromas of liquor blackberries and cherries. Subtle hints of licorice and spice complete a delicate nose. The mouthfeel is affirmed with a nice balance, the tannins are structured, coated with fat and smoothness conjugating notes of candied fruit. The final reveals a wine full of promise, associated with an initial fruitiness that gives the wine a very nice length.

"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."-Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March/2018, 92 points!

The 2014 Chateau d'Armailhac Pauillac will drink optimally from 2020 through 2032.