This is clearly one of the most concentrated d’Armailhacs that has been produced in recent decades owing to the extremely small and concentrated berries, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested at the end of the growing season. It’s also one of the best, with clear personality and power, and although still the least complex of the three Pauillacs in the Mouton stable, it should offer the best value giving a ton of rich fruit and cigar box frisson. 5% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. 3.7pH. Tasted several times – always with the same impression. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040. 94 points

55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot; 50% new oak.
Black core. Scented with cassis and cassis leaf, lightly cedary. (This last is, unusually, a rare descriptor in this vintage.) Aromatic but not as much as Duhart-Milon tasted just after. Very tannic and chewy, dense, compact and telling you to stay away but not lacking fruit in the middle and the aroma is extremely inviting. Needs time to unfurl. 16.5+ points

The 2018 D`Armailhac (14.5% alcohol) is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, harvested September 12 to October 3. Deep garnet-purple colored, it reveals a very fruity nose of crushed blackberries, warm black cherries and mulberries plus hints of potpourri, spice cake and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, the decadent palate delivers loads of black berry layers and a firm, grainy frame with underlying freshness and an earthy finish. Wonderfully opulent D’Armailhac! 91-93 points

This is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, picked between September 12th starting with the Merlots, and finishing on October 3rd with the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The yield was 32 hl/ha. Its sorting included optical technology. The alcohol in the barrel sample presented is declared to be 14%. It has a dark, concentrated and very confident nose, rich in elegantly poised dark cherry fruits, with a dry, rich and savoury edge. The palate is elegant and creamed, very polished, very rich, with dark veins of fruit swirled here with touches of oak, all very confidently integrated. This is very impressive, being well composed, energetic, harmonious and yet peppery and spiced. Long and refined in the finish, this has to be the best showing from d`Armailhac in many years. There are themes of flavour and texture, not least that elegant composition, that tie this in style to Mouton. Very well done indeed. Tasted twice. The élevage will be in 50% new and 50% second-fill oak. 94-96 points

The 2018 d`Armailhac is lifted, floral and nicely focused, although a touch closed today. Bright red cherry and floral notes add nuance throughout. Medium in body and fresh, the 2018 has quite a bit of aromatic depth from the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, which helps hide the 14.5% alcohol nicely. Yields were just 32 hectoliters per hectare as opposed to 42-46, which is the norm. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Tasted two times. 90-92 points