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The Fifth Growth That Punches Way Above Its Weight

Picture this: you're sipping a wine that's literally next door to the legendary Château Mouton Rothschild, crafted by the same masterful hands that created one of Bordeaux's most coveted bottles. That's exactly what the Château d'Armailhac delivers – Rothschild magic without the eye-watering price tag.

This isn't just any Pauillac. This is the wine that comes from some of the oldest vines in all of Bordeaux, with nearly 20% of the vineyard dating back to 1890. These ancient Cabernet Franc vines have witnessed over 130 years of winemaking excellence, and their concentrated fruit delivers complexity that simply cannot be replicated. You're tasting pure liquid heritage.

Recognized at #37 on James Suckling’s Top 100 French Wines of 2025, d’Armailhac proves once again it belongs in Pauillac’s elite circle.

What makes this bottle absolutely irresistible is its rebellious streak. While its famous neighbor commands astronomical prices, d'Armailhac delivers that same Rothschild pedigree, that same meticulous attention to detail, and that same "holy grail of terroir" – all wrapped up in a package that won't break the bank!

The château itself tells a story that's pure Bordeaux drama. Half-finished since 1830 because the original family ran out of money mid-construction, it stands today as a beautifully incomplete monument to ambitious dreams and stubborn tradition. Just like the wine – it's perfectly imperfect, authentically genuine, and utterly captivating.

Every sip reveals layers upon layers of complexity. The 53% Cabernet Sauvignon brings power and structure that'll make your taste buds stand at attention, while the 36.6% Merlot adds a velvet smoothness that'll have you melting into your chair. The Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot dance in the background, adding those mysterious flavor notes that keep you coming back for more.

When wine lovers talk about "insider secrets" and "hidden gems," this is exactly what they mean. The d'Armailhac is your golden ticket to experiencing Fifth Growth Pauillac excellence without the Fifth Growth price tag anxiety. It's approachable yet sophisticated, familiar yet surprising, classic yet contemporary.

2022 was an extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, it was blessed with a 95 pt review by Wine Spectator who said: "A new paradigm for Bordeaux. Very aromatic and sleek, fresh and pure in feel, with all major varietals performing well; far more consistent than the 2018-2020 trio."

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. A full-bodied, elegant wine with a deep garnet-purple color and intense, complex aromas. It features notes of black fruit, cassis, and kirsch, with hints of licorice, clove oil, and earthiness. The palate offers bright acidity, ripe tannins, and flavors of blackberry pie, mulberries, and chocolate. A modern Pauillac with a classic structure, it is known for its depth, texture, and long, flavorful finish with notes of red fruit and chocolate.

~#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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