| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Another sensational effort from Philippe Dhaluin, the administrator of Mouton Rothschild, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot shows complex floral notes intermixed with forest floor, camphor, black currants and mulberries that all jump from the glass of this aromatic style of d'Armailhac. This wine possesses very good acidity, a surprisingly higher percentage of Merlot than usual, but the quality is impressive, and the good news is that there are 20,000 cases of this full-bodied beauty, which should age nicely for 15-20+ years.
Tasted at the château, the 2010 D'Armailhac has a fabulous, opulent bouquet, with black cherries, boysenberry, almond and hints of cooked meat as it dabbles with secondary aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, with bold tannin, grippy in the mouth and immense weight. This is a very structured d'Armailhac, although it probably does not possess the finesse of the 2016, which I tasted alongside. There is great density here—tensile and bold, with a grippy finish. It is a long-term prospect. Tasted April 2017.
Drink Date 2021 - 2040
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 D'Armailhac leaps from the glass with vivacious scents of baked raspberries, blueberry pie and kirsch plus hints of candied violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has lovely energy with a lively backbone and well-played chewy tannins supporting the delicate flavors, finishing minerally. 2020 - 2042
Paler than Clerc Milon. Good integrity. Very Pauillac and very 2010 though it’s a tad lean on the end. Correct though and satisfying for those looking for classic claret. Vigorous. 13.5%
Drink 2020 – 2045
Beautifully concentrated black fruits, already has florality and spice, refreshingly elegant and classy, a wine with individuality, spice and (for Pauillac) charm. Drink 2017-28.
Quite dense tarry fruit and after about 10 minutes in the glass it began to show a hint of coffee.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2010 achieved in excess of 14% natural alcohol. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with a pronounced nose of underbrush, cedarwood, licorice and black currants. This attractive, elegant, mid-weight Pauillac should be drinkable early in life and last for 15+ years.
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The d'Armailhac 2010 has an intense bouquet with blackberry and briary aromas leaping from the glass, quickly followed by cedar and tobacco scents, later something more exotic like crème de cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with quite dry but fine tannins. It feels saline in the mouth with very good acidity and hints of black olive compote towards the austere but compelling finish. This is generating a lot of pleasure now and over the next 15 to 20 years. Tasted January 2014.
Tasted at the UGC in London and at Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The d'Armailhac is more reticent on the nose with lifted dark cherry and blackberry fruit; some attractive sage and cedar wood scents emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent entry. This has a fleshy, silky texture, the 30% new oak deftly integrated into the black fruit profile with a slight chewiness towards the finish. This is a very accomplished d'Armailhac, the 15% Cabernet Franc lending this Pauillac an attractive peppery note on the aftertaste. Tasted November 2012.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, delivering 13.85% alcohol with close 3.74 pH. The nose is a little muted at the moment despite rigorous coaxing, quite Zen-like with crushed stone, traces of blackberry leaf and cassis, gaining momentum with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly abrasive tannins on the entry although they will soften. This is a relatively masculine d'Armailhac without the glycerine you often find at this stage. More masculine, the Cabernet Sauvignon driving along to a stern but fresh finish. Good potential, but it will require cellaring more than usual. Drink 2017- Tasted April 2011.
Dark crimson. Bit dull and unformed. Seems so angular after the 2009s! So young and chewy!!! Buy this wine from the same stable as first growth Ch Mouton Rothschild to keep. Drink 2017-2030
17 Drink 2020-2035
Tasted 17 Feb: Very ripe and scented and strangely integrated! Sweet yet with real race and freshness. Tannins well covered.
Tasted open 8 Apr: Healthy crimson. Sweet, creamy nose. Real lift and polish. Slightly green on the end. The tannins are almost entirely hidden! Mid weight. I hope to taste this blind later on today… (Score: 17 18-30)
Tasted blind 8 Apr: Very dark purple. Not much nose. Very luscious start to the palate and some lovely structure. Really appetising and very dry on the end. Pauillac gravelly flavours. Long. Well balanced. No brute but no coquette either. Great vivaciousness and balance. (Score: 17 18-30)
