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Armailhac 2005

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château d'Armailhac

Label

Tasting Notes

D’Armailhac’s 2005 offers notes of cedar wood, forest floor, black and red currants, spice box and earth. It is medium-bodied, relatively soft for a 2005, and best drunk over the next 12-15 years. Drink 2015-2025.

90
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015

The Château d'Armailhac 2005 has a very typical d'Armailhac nose with ebullient red and black fruit, cedar and mint coming through with a light black olive scent. The palate is medium-bodied, very well balanced, supple in the mouth and therefore, one of the more approachable Pauillac '05s. There are hints of bay leaf and clove emerging on towards the finish that fans out with panache, a savory tincture lingering on the finish. Enjoy this over the next decade.

90
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2015
90
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, February 2008

Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Light, classic nose – quite fragrant. Lots of fruit attack before a dry finish. Pretty good stuff. But drying end.
Drink 2016-2029

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Bright ruby-red. Blueberry, chocolate and leather on the nose, which suggests a wider range of ripeness than the 2006. Unusually sweet and lush for this wine but in a youthfully sullen stage, hinting at sexy oak tones and some leafy high notes. Densely packed but tight and tannic today, with its structure dominating. This needs patience.

89+
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, June 2008

Finely concentrated fruit, shows natural ripeness and lift and extremely attractive elegance among a range of much bigger wines, very pretty style. Drink 2009/20.

17
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2006

Not expressing much. Quite solid, reasonably dense and chewy in the middle but lacks character. Firmish, some tannins. Drink form 2013. Awarded 3 stars.

15
Decanter.com, Decanter.com, July 2008

Came 86th out of 184 wines

15.67
-, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2009
Read more tasting notes...

This powerful, tannic, structured effort from Mouton-Rothschild’s stable is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by an earthy nose dominated by black currants and toasty, smoky oak. Medium to full-bodied with relatively high tannin, decent acidity, and a fine finish, it should be at its best between 2014-2030

90+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008

Abundant tannin in addition to a deep ruby/purple hue, superb purity, and a lovely texture are found in this delicious Pauillac. One of the finest d’Armailhacs I have ever tasted, it is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that achieved an amazing 13.3% natural alcohol. Aromas of black currants, creamy oak, and earth emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort. It should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will last for two decades or more.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

I think the 2005 d’Armailhac may turn out even better than its stable mate, Clerc-Milon. This combination of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot achieved 13.3% alcohol. Revealing lovely creme de cassis-like notes, a beautiful texture, brightness, and sweet tannin, it is an impressively endowed, medium to full-bodied, relatively approachable 2005, although it will undoubtedly display more tannin after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Aromas of blackberries and ripe fruit with hints of cigar box. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a rich and ripe finish. A balanced and rich wine. May be better than 2003 and 2000.

89/91
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Mid crimson. Edgy vegy nose with even a mild suggestion of herbaceousness. Then some lively greenness. Much less sweet and ripe than most 2005s. 13%
Drink 2020-2035

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2015

Very dark and toasty on the nose then lovely flesh and freshness. Great balance and real delicacy too. A subtle wine. Well done!

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2009

Mid crimson. Quite meaty, almost Graves-like. Soft, medium-intensity fruit without a really convincing structure - a little soft and sweet. Perfectly nice drink for the mid term but not the most intense and energetic. Sweet alluring front palate and a note that's almost burnt. Rather soft, smudgy finish. Full, round opulent with very fine, dry tannins on the finish. Very worked. A little chewy on the finish. Drink 2015-25

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2006
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.