Château d'Armailhac 2018

Jeannie Cho Lee

Falstaff

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, subtle brightening at the rim. Delicate tobacco, a touch of vanilla, cassis, dark sweet cherry, blackberry, fine herbal savouriness, candied grapefruit pith, subtle mint. Juicy, forest fruit confit, elegant and freshly structured, ripe, round tannins, cassis also on the finish, dark nougat, very good persistence, very good ageing potential. (2020-2045)߭.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 D’Armailhac (a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) hits the ground running with wonderfully open-knit, flamboyant scents of Morello cherries, black raspberries, blackcurrant jelly and rose oil, leading to an undercurrent of cinnamon toast, aniseed and mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate is charged with energy and expressiveness, delivering red and black berry layers with loads of spicy sparks, framed by plush tannins, finishing long and fragrant.

VertdeVin

The nose is fruity and offers a controlled power as well as a controlled intensity, a beautiful definition and elegance. It reveals notes of blackberry, violet, wild strawberry, associated with touches of strawberry flowers, small wild red frutis, lilac, hot/ioded gravels as well as hints of zan, nutmeg and a very discreet hint of grey pepper. The palate is fruity, elegant, well-balanced and offers an acidulous frame, a beautiful definition, gourmandize, a small tension, intensity, a a beautiful dynamism, fullness and a beautiful balance. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/ripe blackberry, fresh/ripe raspberry and small notes of small fresh/acidulous red berries associated with touches of violet, cornflower, zan as well as hints of saline minerality/iodine gravels, juicy plum, fine hints of camphor, cardamom. A subtle hint of cocoa bog and fresh tobacco in the persistence. Tannins are well-built. Good length.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

James Suckling

Complex aromas of blackcurrant, black olive, clove, oyster shell, pencil lead and tobacco. It’s full-bodied with firm, tightly knit tannins. Concentrated and focused with a very long, spice and mineral finish. Fantastic bottle. Try from 2026.