Castle of Armailhac - Pauillac 2014

Le Point

14,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits noirs, un peu confituré, bien mûr, milieu de bouche souple et finale sur les tanins un peu en boule du merlot.

Vinous

90-93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 d'Armailhac is absolutely delicious. Dark red cherry, plum, pomegranate, spice and floral notes are bold and exuberant in the glass. This is an especially extroverted, silky d'Armailhac long on class, finesse and resonance. All the elements are in the right place. Ripe, silky tannins add to an overall impression of creaminess, but there is also a terrific element of pure energy here. The 2014 has a bit more Merlot in the blend than usual and also clocks in around 13.8% in alcohol, which is high for the estate. More importantly, though, d'Armailhac is a real overachiever in this vintage. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

This deep, ruby colored wine offers black raspberries and licorice in the nose. The fruit is sweet and spicy with a lush, black cherry finish. Blending 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.8 alcohol. 89-91 Pts

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château d’Armailhac 2014 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot (slightly more Merlot than usual.) It will be matured in around one-third new oak. The opulence and richness is immediately apparent on the nose with hints of black olive infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannin, quite dense black fruit with a spicy attack towards the saline finish. It feels a little abrasive at the moment but the rough edges should be rounded by the time.

Asian Palate

89-90 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Round, supple red with velvety tannins with plum and dark cherry. The wine is balanced, fresh and lively and will be approachable even in its youth but the dense tannins mean it will benefit from at least 5 to 6 years of bottle age. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 36% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/17/2015

Mid crimson. Clean, sweet and mild on the nose, a little toasty and some polish. Correct and not too drying, with some green notes - very un-luscious. A little demanding and austere but with good energy and sleekness. The finish is impressively long. An interesting wine that is so low key that at first I almost overlooked it.

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

The aromatics of Cabernet Franc, Merlot's richness and Cabernet Sauvignon's firmness blend seemlessly into a beautifully made, polished wine. Drink: 2019-2028 (90+)

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

Very minerally, silky and refined with a full body, firm tannins and currants, stones and citrus. Racy and fine. This has a little more merlot in the blend but is mostly cabernet sauvignon as always. One of the best Armailhacs in a long time.

timatkin.com

91 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Süssliches Bouquet mit roten Beeren und etwas Cassis, zeigt eine schöne, elegante Fülle in der Nase. Im Gaumen mit Charme, weiche Tannine, aromatisches Finale. Besser als 2012 und 2013. Das ist ja eigentlich logisch. Aber ich war leider in den letzten zwei Jahren eher enttäuscht von diesem Cru. Jetzt stimmt es wieder! 17/20 2022 – 2045

Wine Enthusiast

92 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

91–93. Barrel Sample. A mild summer with cool nights kept the freshness in the Merlot grown on the gravel soil of this vineyard. As a result, this wine has delicious fruitiness and a crisp edge to go with the background of tannins.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015

Bright, juicy and engaging, with a racy damson plum and red currant core striped with singed cedar and vanilla and backed by a good twinge of iron. This is brisk
and pleasantly taut. Textbook Pauillac.