2022 Château d'Armailhac, Pauillac
Released this morning for sale en primeur, 2022 Château d'Armailhac is the real deal: A superb Fifth Growth Pauillac that echoes a surprising amount of the same class and refinement as we found in Mouton-Rothschild itself. We found it the most impressive d’Armailhac we had ever tasted at this stage, and this is born out by critics’ best-ever ratings.
This is only the second vintage to be made in the new winery and on evidence of how the '22 vintage showed from barrel, the ability to vinify in small plots with great precision is helping d'Armailhac to close the gap with its sibling estates.
Stablemate Clerc-Milon showed great refinement and complexity in this vintage, but d'Armailhac matches and in some cases surpasses it on points from the key critics. With lots of the classic Pauillac intensity and power we find in wines like Haut-Batailley, and now with new levels of precision and fruit purity, d'Armailhac has come such a long way over the last two decades and we recommend adding this latest release to your cellar.
Offered en primeur, on allocation. Landing spring 2025.
Magnums available with £15 ex-VAT bottling surcharge, please enquire for other formats.
All previous offers of 2022 Bordeaux can be found here.
Offered En Primeur, landing in spring 2025.
Limited availability. To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château d'Armailhac, Cru Classé Pauillac
Château d'Armailhac is a Cinquième Cru Classé in Pauillac, under the same ownership as sister-estates Châteaux Mouton-Rothschild and Clerc-Milon. In fact, Armailhac's vines were once part of the larger Mouton estate. Baron Philippe Rothschild purchased the estate in 1934. The 70 hectare vineyard is planted to 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
If you closely a the photograph of the château, you may notice it is only half-built. Famously, when it was constructed in 1810, the owners ran out of money and had to stop work before the right-hand side could be built.
| RED | 2022 | 15 cases | Château d'Armailhac | 75cl | £242 per case of 6 | Château d'Armailhac 2022 / 15 cases / 75cl £242 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Armailhac is effusive and aromatic, with an extra kick of fruit intensity and richness from the warm, dry growing season, there's no austerity at all in this young Armailhac. Hints of white pepper, blood orange and mint lend further brilliance. This is very nicely done...89-91 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"Deep aromas of raspberries, cherries, crushed mint and spices preface the 2022 d'Armailhac, a medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated wine that's deep, lively and seamless, framed by powdery tannins and concluding with a penetrating finish. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The difference from a typical vintage colour is more marked in Armailhac than Clerc Milon, where we are more used to deep colours. This in contrast is an extremely intense Armailhac, really stepping into its Pauillac boots, a ton of deep plum, cassis and damson. Great expansion through the palate, beautiful depth of flavour, this is extremely impressive, with an edge of eucalyptus and graphite on the finish, and more grip than usual. Yields down to 26hl/h (there are more new plantings here so young vines). Second vintage with the new winery, and new technical director Lucille Lauilhé. Harvest September 8 to 27, 50% new oak, 3.83ph. 94 points" janeanson.com------"The 2022 Château d'Armailhac was picked from 8 to 27 September and matured in 50% new oak. This has a very pure and sensual bouquet with precocious black plum, cassis violet and espresso scents. The palate is medium-bodied with muscular tannins on the entry, though I find just a little more complexity compared to the Clerc Milon this year. There's a gentle and discrete crescendo toward its delineated and minerally finish. Excellent. This is more like the d'Armailhac that I was familiar with, say, ten years ago. It will surely be irresistible once it reaches its peak. You've been warned. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Another wine that showed beautifully on multiple occasions, the 2022 Château D'Armailhac checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a full-bodied, ripe, sexy profile that carries lots of blueberry, cherry, and cassis fruit, notes of spice, leafy herbs, and chocolate, velvety tannins, good acidity, and a great finish. It should have a broad, lengthy drink window. 94-96 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"This is like a baby Mouton this year with blackcurrant, flower, and orange aromas. Medium- to full-bodied with a tight and racy palate that shows persistence and verve. One to watch. 96-97 points" jamessuckling.com |
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