Château d'Armailhac - Pauillac 2015

Vinifera

4 / 5

the5/31/2016

Robe sombre. Nez expressif, sur des notes boisées, fruits noirs, encens. Entrée en bouche souple, très soyeuse. Jolie trame à l’évolution. Le tanin est fondant, juteux, et la finale offre une jolie longueur. Les vendanges ici se sont étalées sur plus de trois semaines entre d’Armailhac, Clerc Milon et Mouton, permettant d’attendre le moment optimum.

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

Spicy cassis, flowers and gentle notes of coffee and thyme create layers of elegance, freshness, polish and texture. With hints of milk chocolate and sweet blackberries in the finish, this wine is quite nice for the vintage and surprises the palate with more velvet to the tannins than expected. Produced by blending 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, this wine reached 13.25% alcohol.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Château d'Armailhac is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, marking a slightly higher percentage of Merlot this year. Picking began on September 16 and finished October 5 - one of the longest harvest periods for this estate, according to Philippe Dhalluin. It has a very intense bouquet with layers of small dark cherries and cassis, the oak prominent, though the final blend will contain proportionally less. The palate is very concentrated and quite showy, as d'Armailhac has a proclivity of being at this early juncture. The acidity here is nicely judged with just a touch of graphite coming through on the finish. This is a satisfactory d'Armailhac, but there was a nagging feeling that this is one wine from the Mouton Rothschild stable that left me wanting more. Perhaps that will develop during its barrel maturation?

Vinous

90-93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

The 2015 d’Armailhac is especially strong this year. Racy and sumptuous to the core, the 2015 offers lovely depth and radiance throughout. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange and spices are all pushed forward, while the creamy, generous textures are hugely inviting. The plush, racy personality of the vintage comes through loud and clear. The d’Armailhac is the hidden gem in the Mouton-Rothschild portfolio this year. This is superb effort from the Mouton team headed by Philippe Dhalluin. Tasted three times.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

bySteven Spurrierthe4/27/2016

timatkin.com

90 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/15/2016

Barrel Sample. This wine is structured and firm with some sold tannins, along with acidity and delicious black currant fruit flavors. It is a wine that balances both the tannins and the fruitiness. 93 points

René Gabriel

18 / 20

the4/10/2016

60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 29 % Merlot, 9 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Delikates Bouquet, Damassinepflaumen und Cassis, sehr frisch und irgendwie verspielt. Im Gaumen zart und saftig, gut balanciert mit wunderbarer, blau- bis schwarzbeeriger Fruchtexpression. Seine Grösse sind die Finessen. Zwei Mal verkostet. Einmal auf Mouton und einmal auf der Union des Grand Crus. 18/20 2023 – 2045

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

A refined and pretty red with plum, blackberry and black cherry aromas and flavors. Full to medium body, fine tannins. Exuberant.

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2016

This has good density midpalate, with red currant and plum fruit. Keeps a slightly racy edge overall, with a lightly chalky frame giving way to iron through the finish.—J.M.