Armailhac - Pauillac 2016

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe6/9/2026

The 2016 d'Armailhac has a delightful nose, black fruit mixed with cedar and touches of brown spice. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with firm tannins, grippy, a little tight towards the finish, but there is a sense of energy here. It does not match the bottle 12 months ago, but the potential is here. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe2/6/2026

Wet earth, sandalwood and dried flower aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, precise and contained yet expressive and enjoyable, with fine-grained tannins. Drink now or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.

Jancis Robinson

16

byJancis Robinsonthe2/5/2020

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

This juicy red sports dark plum, fig and boysenberry fruit backed by an equally strong wave of bramble and sweet tobacco notes. The cast-iron spine pins down the finish, so give this a little time to integrate fully. Best from 2023 through 2038.   –JM

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

This is a really driven d’Armailhac showing blackcurrants and fruit tea with hints of bark on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, very firm and structured with a long and powerful finish. Direct and linear. Try after 2023.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

The 2016 d’Armailhac, which was bottled in May 2018, has an elegant bouquet that unfolds in the glass, offering blackberries, briar and a touch of cedar and mint. The palate is medium-bodied with dense tannin, grippy in the mouth, and quite voluminous, with perhaps more density on the solid, almost broad-shouldered finish compared to the Clerc-Milon. This fulfills all my expectations from my barrel tasting and is quite simply one of the best d’Armailhac wines ever made.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 d'Armailhac is powerful and dense, just as it was from barrel. Readers will have to give the 2016 at least a few years in bottle, as the tannins are imposing. Dark red plum, licorice, spice, iron, game and scorched earth all give d'Armailhac its distin savory flavor profile that is quite appealing. Time in the glass brings out additional layers of nuance that complete the wine nicely.

Wine Advocate

93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 D'Armailhac opens with gregarious crème de cassis, blackberry pie and mulberries scents with hints of chocolate box, roses and charcoal with a waft of dried sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe10/26/2018

WeinWisser

17,5

byTjark Witzgallthe5/22/2017

Sattes Purpur mit lila Rand. Intensive Cassisnase mit Kräutern, Rosenholz und schwarzen Oliven. Am Gaumenein kräftiger Körper mit stützendem, bereits abgerundetem Tannin, da ist viel Finesse drin. Das lange Finale punktet mit schwarzen Johannisbeerpastillen. Kann noch zulegen.

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Belles notes de cèdre, vin précis, élégant dans sa chair et sa texture, et qui sera certainement encore abordable en achat primeur.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 D'Armailhac is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that was picked between 27 September and 14 October. The bouquet is very impressive, typical d'Armaihlac in terms of the opulence and flamboyance with lush black cherry and boysenberry fruit, a subtle floral note developing with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp and tensile entry; there is immense purity here with some lovely blue fruit appearing on the finish. This is a d'Armailhac that is emboldened by unprecedented tannic structure that gives it real backbone and a sense of authority. Quite simply, this is one of the best wines of Château D'Armailhac that I have tasted, somehow not a million miles away from Grand Puy Lacoste in style.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/28/2017

Le meilleur jamais fait avec le 2009 ! Couleur sombre, intense, pourpre et vive. Nez intense, fin, fruité avec une note très originale de violette. Bouche moelleuse au toucher raffiné avec de l’éclat et énormément d’arômes. Grosse note plaisir ! Finale fondante, fleurie, fruitée et superbe de chair. Assemblage : 62 % cabernet sauvignon, 28 % merlot, 8 % cabernet franc et 2 % petit verdot. Degré d’alcool : 13,4° (moyenne), pH : 3.64 (moyenne).

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Black cherry, cocoa, flowers and spicy plum aromas create the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, sweet and silky. The tannins are soft and the fruit feels good as it sticks on your palate. Medium/full bodied, long and harmonious, this is easily the best wine ever made at the property. Produced by blending 62% Cabernet Sauvignon , 28% Merlot , 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot , this wine reached 13.4% alcohol. The harvest took place September 27 to October 14. 

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017

Such richness through the palate, with deep crushed blackberry notes alongside soft coffee bean. I get hints of Petit Mouton here. The Mouton stable measure their tannins in weight, not IPT, and this year comes in even higher than 2010, 4.5g compared to 4g. You don't feel it because the grain of the tannins is so fine, but it is clearly going to age well, without any dryness. Incredible balance, with a pH of 3.55 giving freshness to the alcohol, and making these wines really not very difficult to taste. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, to be aged in 30% new oak.Drinking Window 2027 - 2040

matthewjukes.com

17,5

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(62 Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 Merlot, 8 Cabernet Franc, 2 Petit Verdot)This is a tight, firm, slightly tense d’Armailhac with sour fruit and a distinct lack of juiciness. The nose is introverted showing earthy, skinsy notes and the palate, while long, is unresponsive. This coating of firmness hides a plummy core which is reluctant to show itself right now but which also looks rather ravishing with some vigorous swirling. I think that this will work well, but you must give it time. 17.5+

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Very dark, blackish purple. Perfumed and rather seductive. Pretty chunky and solid. Tannins more in evidence than in some (though admittedly this is my first Pauillac in a long run of wines). A long-distance runner. Very juicy. 17-

Wine Enthusiast

92-94

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This wine boasts soft tannins that are integrated into the black fruit core. It is juicy, with concentrated blackberry and plum flavors. A delicious stream of acidity floods the finish. A wine for the long haul, try after 2029.

Wine Spectator

92-95

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

Inviting, with notes of currant preserves and cherry sauce giving way to taut charcoal and singed alder accents. The chalky finish is a bit tight, but the stuffing is there. This has really good energy.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

This is really tannic and muscular for d'Armailhac. Perhaps the most powerful ever. Full and chewy yet balanced and polished. Very, very impressive. Greatest ever?