2021 Château d'Armailhac
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Tasting notes
Part of the Mouton stable, Ch. d’Armailhac has improved so much over the last few years, yet it remains a fantastic-value buy from an estate of great winemaking pedigree. In 2021 D’Armailhac stands out for its lovely, lifted, scented aromatics. On the palate, there is beautifully fresh blackcurrant fruit and balancing freshness, with 13% alcohol. The tannins add depth and structure that need a bit of time to totally integrate, but with impressive richness to the fruit there is no concern here. The wine is aged in 50% new oak. Blend: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Critic scores
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Pale rim. Very light nose. Fruit rather low-key, too. Not too austere or green and with some drive but not top-drawer. Though the finish is neat. Sweet and a little simple – but perhaps simplicity is good in 2021? (JR)
The 2021 Château D'Armailhac is terrific and, like all the releases under the Mouton-Rothschild umbrella, it has terrific depth of fruit and impressive richness. Ripe cassis, smoky tobacco, graphite, and ample minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied, beautifully balanced 2021. It plays in the fresher style of the vintage yet has a great mid-palate, good concentration, and a great finish. It will shine with just 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 15+ years in cold cellars.
The 2021 d'Armailhac, which was bottled mid-May, has an attractive nose with perfumed blackberry and blueberry fruit, the oak here seamlessly integrated—quite "Mouton" in style. A mini-Mouton perhaps? It becomes much plusher than the Clerc Milon after 10 minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, taut and linear, with grainy tannins, a pronounced graphite element and a pliant, Merlot-driven finish, making it quite approachable in style.
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.