2015 d'Armailhac
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Dark and glowing. Intriguing nose – hooray! Then very loose and soft. Where’s the famous Pauillac tannin? To be drunk sooner rather than later. Slightly drying finish. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 d'Armailhac has a vivacious, minty, finely delineated bouquet that has a spring in its step. The palate is medium-bodied, strict and focused, with sapid black fruit laced with graphite. This classy offering gains depth with a satisfying, long aftertaste. It was quite an impressive showing. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.
This has a lovely deep ruby colour, and plenty of sappy energy in its tannic frame and reach, a little softer than some Pauillac 2015s at this stage. Refined tannins, charming, with a layering of dark fruit and undergrowth that slowly steals up on you. Jean-Paul Voelert technical director. Harvest September 16 to October 5. 33% new oak - the last vintage before new oak rises to today's 50%. A signficant year in the Mouton stable, as Baroness Philippine died in August 2015.
The 2015 d'Armailhac has a precise, graphite-scented bouquet featuring black fruit laced with light rose petal aromas - discreet but engaging. The medium-bodied palate offers quite firm tannin framing dusky, dark black fruit laced with brown spices and sage. I am just seeking a little more brightness and verve on the finish, but otherwise, this is fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
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.