Chateau d'Armailhac 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 2016

Such a vibrant pink/purple rim to this, loud, full, bright, shining, rich and confident. Tannic and firm, full bodied with supple tannins that have spiced edges full of clove, aniseed and liquorice lacing the blackcurrant fruit. It's youthful still - the benefits of the magnum - with lots of tension but feels so well worked with structure and depth. I love the restraint on show, it's clearly powerful yet there is supreme elegance. Stylish, full of life and of further potential. Don't drink this yet, hold on to it for at least another 5-10 years.

In 2016 they started aging d’Armailhac for longer and it went from 12 to 15 months. Also, the new oak increased from about 15% to 35%. The 2016 is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a deep garnet color and after a shake or two, it bursts with intense scents of black cherry compote, blueberry pie, and plum preserves, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, violets, and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with dense, muscular black fruits, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with impressive purity.

This is a really driven d’Armailhac showing blackcurrants and fruit tea with hints of bark on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, very firm and structured with a long and powerful finish. Direct and linear. Try after 2023.

Austere, with fine but firm grip, a salt scrape of tannins, crayon and restrained appellation character, mouthwatering finish, good quality, blueberry, blackberry, tobacco. Tasted recently at the estate also. 40% new oak and at this point they had extended the ageing by two months, as they moved towards today's winemaking methods. Harvest September 26 to October 14. This one needs a carafe.

A thrilling bottle of wine that readers should snatch up is the 2016 Château d’Armailhac. This deeply colored, medium to full-bodied, powerful Armailhac gives up a lovely perfume of blackberry and plums fruits, violets, graphite, cedar pencil, and earthy, herbal nuances. Classic, ripe, layered, and just a beautiful Pauillac any way you look at it, it has plenty of upfront sex appeal but is going to keep for 20-25 years as well. Bravo! The 2016 is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

The 2016 d’Armailhac, which was bottled in May 2018, has an elegant bouquet that unfolds in the glass, offering blackberries, briar and a touch of cedar and mint. The palate is medium-bodied with dense tannin, grippy in the mouth, and quite voluminous, with perhaps more density on the solid, almost broad-shouldered finish compared to the Clerc-Milon. This fulfills all my expectations from my barrel tasting and is quite simply one of the best d’Armailhac wines ever made.

The 2016 d'Armailhac is powerful and dense, just as it was from barrel. Readers will have to give the 2016 at least a few years in bottle, as the tannins are imposing. Dark red plum, licorice, spice, iron, game and scorched earth all give d'Armailhac its distinctive savory flavor profile that is quite appealing. Time in the glass brings out additional layers of nuance that complete the wine nicely.