~#37 Top 100 French Wines of 2025 by James Suckling
Floral character, such as orange blossoms and cassis with lead pencil aromas that follow through to a medium body and a lovely balance of fruit and freshness. It’s long and caressing with everything in place. Crisp. Best ever? 60% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. ~97 James Suckling
Rocking levels of darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, and spicy notes all emerge from the 2022 Château D'Armailhac, a blockbuster from this château that has ripe, velvety tannins, a beautiful mid-palate, and outstanding length. Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, this is easily the finest Armailhac. ~96 Jeb Dunnuck
The elegance, and purity in the dark red, and black fruits, coupled with its display of spices, flowers, and cigar box makes this stand out in a crowd. Round, supple, firm, and refined, the lush, creamy, spice, mint, blackberry, and currant endnote hits everything right from start to finish. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2028-2050. ~96 The Wine Cellar Insider
Strongly scented and perfumed on the nose, dark fruits, lively and lithe, supple and smooth on the palate, richly concentrated in terms of fruit density but sleek and stylish on the palate with a burst of bright and fresh blackcurrants and black cherries. Has a tang to it, the acidity and liveliness fills the mid palate before the stony tannins come in towards the end and give this bite and focus. More tense and streamlined than Clerc Milon, but so poised and finessed. This has bite and tension, the Cabernet speaks with liquorice, tobacco and clove subtly giving the spice at the end, but also a fresh mintiness. You can taste the gravel and the clay, putting the terroir in the glass. Really quite profound with concentrated fruit, juiciness and mouthwatering acidity. Fresh and lifted on the finish, you want more of this, but it will take some time to be more charming given its serious nature right now. One to wait for and be glad you did. ~95 Decanter
Deep ruby colour, opaque core, purple reflections. Inviting black wild berries, cherries, somewhat shy bouquet, subtle touch of fine oak. Juicy, black cherries, mineral texture, fine acidity, delicately spiced thanks to the Cabernet Franc component, some nougat. Nice length, good ageing potential. ~95 Falstaff
The difference from a typical vintage colour is more marked in Armailhac than Clerc Milon, where we are more used to deep colours. This in contrast, is an extremely intense Armailhac, really stepping into its Pauillac boots, a ton of deep plum, cassis and damson. Great expansion through the palate, beautiful depth of flavour, this is extremely impressive, with an edge of eucalyptus and graphite on the finish, and more grip than usual. Yields down to 26hl/h (there are more new plantings here so young vines). Second vintage with the new winery, and new technical director Lucille Lauilhé. Harvest September 8 to 27, 50% new oak, 3.83ph. ~94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The wine's richness is very apparent. Tannins are integrated into ripeness and solid black fruits. A touch of chocolate comes through. Yet at the end, acidity brings a fine lift.~93 Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of cherries, blackberries, pencil shavings and creamy new oak introduce the 2022 d'Armailhac, a medium to full-bodied, sweet and dense wine that's rich and succulent, with a generous core of sun-kissed fruit, ripe tannins and an expansive finish. ~92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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