1995 Château d'Armailhac
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Tasting notes
A reminder of why Armailhac is easily among the most drinkable of Pauillac classifieds, delivering charm and elegance. Tobacco, violet, mint and cloves dominate, with autmunal blackberry fruits beneath. The amount of Merlot in the blend rose for this vintage, but it still delivers plenty of Pauillac concentration, and the finely-boned tannins are holding everything together. You can find 'younger' feeling 1995s in Pauillac (either of Armailhac's siblings for a start), but this has gentle drinkablity, and is a wine for enjoying with a book and a fire. 3.7ph. Harvest September 18 to 27. Patrick Leon director, working with Eric Tourbier across all the estates.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Very dark crimson. Very fresh and aromatic – much more nose than the 1996 Armailhac. Racy and silky and really very appealing. Lots of flesh covers any dry tannin. Lots of punch and charm now. (JR)
Sweet and appetising with only a hint of ink. Rich, purple ink. Rather aggressive acidity and very slight caricature. Certainly full marks for effort here! Just a bit raw and light at the moment. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. d’Armailhac is a Pauillac Fifth Growth owned by the Rothschilds, who also own Ch. Mouton Rothschild. Lavished with the same attention to detail and having benefitted from extensive investment in recent years, this estate can offer brilliant value in comparison to its First Growth sibling.