Château D’Armailhac: Tasting & Drinking
Château d’Armailhac is perhaps the least well known Bordeaux property in the Rothschild portfolio. The style is a little different to the other wines; it is certainly less muscular than Château Clerc-Milon, the style here more finessed and elegant. Perhaps this is down to the greater proportion of Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the blend here, but more likely it is down to the particular matrix of soils, themselves rather light and fine in places. It is a blend and a style which can allow the wine to shine in vintages when others may not; the 1999 is a case in point , a good wine in a less-than-superlative vintage.
Having said that, it does seem to be that the wines of Château d’Armailhac remain in the shadow not just of the other Rothschild estates (an unfair comparison with Château Mouton-Rothschild I guess, although the gap between Château Clerc-Milon and Château d’Armailhac should perhaps not be so wide) but also other neighbouring estates such as Château Pontet-Canet and, on the other side of the railway line, Château Lynch-Bages. With new investment and a new team on board, however, there is room for development here, and this is now an estate to watch, more than ever. I expect to see as the 2020s and 2030s progress, rising quality here.
Favourite vintages from among recent years include 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2010, 2009, 2006 and 2005. Less renowned vintages which are certainly worth checking out include 2023, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011 and 2008. (10/2/05, updated 20/3/07, 9/1/14, 20/3/26)
