Chateau d'Armailhac 2023

The Château d'Armailhac 2023 is a polished, classic Pauillac fifth-growth Bordeaux red wine featuring aromas of red fruit, black cherry, and subtle floral notes. Smooth and precise with refined tannins, fresh balance, and a long finish with pepper and ripe fruit.

Grape Composition: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot

Wine Advocate: 93
Aromas of sweet blackberries, raspberries, cedar and spices introduce the 2023 d'Armailhac, a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and supple wine with an enveloping core of fruit, sweet structuring tannins and a gently oak-inflected finish. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot—which, as readers may remember, is a rather high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon for this address.

Wine Advocate: 93

Aromas of sweet blackberries, raspberries, cedar and spices introduce the 2023 d'Armailhac, a medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and supple wine with an enveloping core of fruit, sweet structuring tannins and a gently oak-inflected finish. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot—which, as readers may remember, is a rather high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon for this address.

Decanter: 94
Gorgeous fragrance, so floral and alive on the nose, minty and herbal as well as full of violet and cherry elements. Smells quite intense but fresh too. Bright and in focus, streamlined with a racy core - bright acidity and fine tannins, very harmonious if still strict and focussed. It’s full and balanced in its own way with good structure and persistence from start to finish. Sleek, tangy, taut, I like the soft power, the slightly grippy tannins and the freshness throughout. Leaves a bitter grapefruit orange skin tang on the finish. Highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. 62 IPT. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Decanter: 94

Gorgeous fragrance, so floral and alive on the nose, minty and herbal as well as full of violet and cherry elements. Smells quite intense but fresh too. Bright and in focus, streamlined with a racy core - bright acidity and fine tannins, very harmonious if still strict and focussed. It’s full and balanced in its own way with good structure and persistence from start to finish. Sleek, tangy, taut, I like the soft power, the slightly grippy tannins and the freshness throughout. Leaves a bitter grapefruit orange skin tang on the finish. Highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. 62 IPT. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Vinous: 93
The 2023 d'Armailhac was picked from September 7 to 30 and aged in 50% new oak. It contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon to date. Its tightly wound bouquet demands encouragement from the glass, perhaps just missing the panache that elevated the previous vintage. You could argue that this seems more “serious.” The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a firm backbone. It’s a little pepperier than previous vintages, closing with a streamlined finish. Give this two or three years in bottle.

Vinous: 93

The 2023 d'Armailhac was picked from September 7 to 30 and aged in 50% new oak. It contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon to date. Its tightly wound bouquet demands encouragement from the glass, perhaps just missing the panache that elevated the previous vintage. You could argue that this seems more “serious.” The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a firm backbone. It’s a little pepperier than previous vintages, closing with a streamlined finish. Give this two or three years in bottle.

James Suckling: 95
Tobacco, black currants, subtle cassis and hints of asphalt and dried flowers on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with savory dark fruit and precise tannins that are firm yet well integrated. Aged for 18 months in 50% new oak. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 13% cabernet franc, and 2% petit verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94
Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2023 Château D'Armailhac is a rocking little Pauillac offering notes of ripe red and black currants, melted crayon, graphite, and spicy wood. It's medium-bodied and has a ripe, nicely concentrated, balanced, classy profile, with pure tannins and outstanding length. I love its purity, balance, and elegance, and it's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age yet should cruise over the following two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94

Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2023 Château D'Armailhac is a rocking little Pauillac offering notes of ripe red and black currants, melted crayon, graphite, and spicy wood. It's medium-bodied and has a ripe, nicely concentrated, balanced, classy profile, with pure tannins and outstanding length. I love its purity, balance, and elegance, and it's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age yet should cruise over the following two decades.