Château d'Armailhac 2021

A fine Pauillac red wine with a seductive freshness and elegance

The estate

The origins of Château d’Armailhac hark back to 1750. The vineyard was then called "Mouton d'Armailhacq". A Fifth Classified Growth of 1855, Château d’Armailhac shines bright in the appellation of Pauillac. It was in 1931 that the young Baron Philippe de Rothschild became a minority shareholder in the Mouton d'Armailhacq estate. Eventually, the château came under the full ownership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild. It was in 1989 that Baroness Philippine de Rothschild decided to restore the estate to its original name: Château d’Armailhac.

The vineyard

Château d'Armailhac 2021 is a Pauillac wine made from 73 hectares of vines which are located in the north of the appellation, on a light and deep gravel soil.

The vintage

Although a mild and particularly wet winter at the end of March favoured an early and even budburst, the very dry month of April was punctuated by episodes of frost which did not impact the estate's vineyards, thanks to its proximity to the Gironde estuary. The cool, wet conditions of May slowed down the development of the vines. Although flowering took place under excellent weather conditions, a strong stormy spell from mid-June to mid-July led to strong mildew pressure that lasted until the end of the veraison stage. The drier weather from August to the beginning of September was ideal and helped to preserve the vineyard’s healthy condition and to refine the grape's ripeness levels. Harvested at optimal maturity, the perfectly healthy grapes reveal a balanced and fresh expression, reminiscent of the finest vintages from the last century, while harmoniously combining balance, structure and complexity.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (63%)

Merlot (22%)

Cabernet Franc (13%)

Petit Verdot (2%).

Château d'Armailhac 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

Brilliant, this wine showcases a beautiful ruby colour.

Nose

Fine and elegant, the nose combines fruity fragrances (redcurrants, raspberries) with notes of brioche and violet.

Palate

A juicy and fruity attack gives way to a palate with fine, coated tannins. Fresh, balanced and silky, the palate reveals subtle chocolate aromas. The finish is seductive with its persistence and crisp, slightly sappy fruit.