2022 Chateau d'Armailhac - 5eme Cru Classe Pauillac

Decanter.com – 95 pts – GH: *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. 3.83pH. 11.3% press wine - usually at 7-8% maximum. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. HVE3 certified. Tasted twice. 50% new barrels.* - 04/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 95 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Einladende schwarze Waldbeeren, Herzkirschen, etwas scheues Bukett, dezenter Edelholztouch. Saftig, schwarze Kirschen, mineralische Textur, feiner Säurebogen, feinwürzig dank des Cabernet-Franc-Anteils, gute Länge, etwas Nugat, sicheres Reifepotenzial.* - 01/2023

Vinum Magazin – 18/20 pts: *Grossartig fruchtig, saftig und knackig, exzellentes Tannin, unglaublicher Rasse und Klasse, grosse Länge; kommt in diesem Jahr Mouton verblüffend nah: garantiert der beste d‘Armailhac aller Zeiten.* - 04/2023

WeinWisser – 18/20pts – GL, TW: *60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot, 16 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot, pH 3.83, 14.5 Vol.-%. Verhaltener Beginn, zarte schwarzbeerige Konturen, Baumnuss, Holundergelee, Minze und Brasiltabak. Am tiefgründigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, stützender Rasse und maskulinem Körper. Im konzentrierten, langanhaltenden Finale mit zupackendem Tannin, dunklem Graphit und feinmürber Adstringenz. Potenzialwertung für dieses Tanninmonster. Ist für Jean-Emmanuel dieses Jahr viel "vertikaler", d.h. er hat mehr Länge als sonst.* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 17/20pts – JL: *60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Expressive Cabernet nose. Juicy fruit on the palate. A little more power than in some years, the tannins ripe but firm. Plenty of lift and length on the finish. Gourmand as wel.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (93-95) pts – JL: *Black fruits, flowers, smoke Asian spice and tobacco leaf nuances mark the perfume, while the palate is awash in luxurious, plums, currants, licorice, black cherries and cocoa. Lush, plush and polished, with a long, creamy, mint-stained finish, this is going to age quite nicely. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. 14.5% ABV, 3.83 pH. Drink from 2025-2045.* - 05/2023