Chateau D'Armailhac 2023

Château d’Armailhac is a 5th Growth (Cinquième Grand Cru Classé) estate in Pauillac, bordered directly to the north by Château Mouton Rothschild. Managed under the same meticulous viticultural direction as Mouton, the estate comprises 76 hectares (187 acres) of south-facing vines. The vines average 40 years of age and extend across three distinct gravel ridges that capture the core character of the Pauillac appellation.

The 2023 release is particularly notable for featuring the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the history of the Grand Vin.

Wine Description

The Château d’Armailhac 2023 displays a dark, intense red hue accented by a bright crimson edge. On the nose, it opens with vibrant red fruit aromas—wild raspberry and sweet black cherry—complemented by delicate floral nuances of violet, subtle hints of candy, licorice, and classy notes of tobacco leaf, cigar box, and cedar pencil shavings.

On the palate, the wine is smooth, precise, and layered with a weightless, powdery texture. Medium to full-bodied, it balances a juicy core of cassis, blueberry, and dark cherry against lively acidity and sweet, refined tannins. As it develops, impressions of pleasant spice, pepper, and subtle orange rind emerge, leading into a long, fresh, and persistent finish.

The 2023 blend consists of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Harvested between September 7 and September 30, the wine aged in French oak barrels (50% new).