2012 d'Armailhac
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Tasting notes
54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. This is fragrant and lifted on the nose and more elegant in style than usual despite its rich fruit character. Medium bodied with fine, unforced tannins. Well done. FINE+RARE
Critic scores
Average Score
FINE+RARE
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Château d'Armailhac has a taut nose with blackberry, briary and graphite aromas that need more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite sweet with a light bitter edge, fine density with a graceful and peppery finish. It's just a bit slight for a Pauillac, rather conservative compared to other vintages. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
Red cherry, raspberry puree, raspberry leaf and tobacco, more evolved than many of the 2012 classifieds. This is good quality, open and generous. These were the years when Armailhac was still being made to be the younger sibling of Mouton, reflecting its lighter soils but more importantly its winemaking choices. Extremely mouthwatering, with a skip in its step. Charming, and easy to recommend, in a sweet spot to open.
Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Aromatic and very Cabernet on the nose. Very sweet and punchy. Sandpaper tannins but at least, unlike some others in this flight, this has real energy . Good stuff! Just slightly drying on the end. (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.