Chateau D`Armailhac 2021

DECANTER: "Smells heady, black bramble fruit on the nose, fragrant black cherries, a dusting of clove and cinnamon spice, orange peel - slightly bitter but juicy with a hint of toast too. Quite tight and lean, direct and focussed, this is streamlined - you can feel the cool blue fruit and slightly tense tannin structure, seamless but all held in one line in the centre of the wine. A little strict, but pure, precise and clean. There is lovely clarity to the expression, a silky texture with mouthwatering acidity. Tastes fresh and lively and so clean with that moreish salty and menthol tang that lingers on the tongue. Sleek with a really long finish. Really intense flavours that coat the mouth - cinnamon, clove, redcurrants, cherries, blueberries and blackcurrants. Cola and liquorice lingers on. Sleek and well delivered."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 d'Armailhac has turned out beautifully, bursting with attractive aromas of minty cassis and blackberries mingled with notions of pencil shavings and sweet pipe tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, ample and polished, it's supple and seamless, with a fleshy core of fruit and a licorice-inflected finish. En primeur, I compared this to a modern-day version of the estate's immensely charming 1999, and anyone who remembers the 1999 will find that the 2021 delivers just as wide a drinking window."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Black currants, espresso, flowers, chocolate, and cigar wrapper nuances pop in the nose. The palate carries on with the theme in the nose with its layers of soft, elegant, black and red currants, mint and cocoa. There is a touch of chalky dust that lingers in the fresh, finish. The wine blends 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025-2045."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Kräuterwürze, tabakig unterlegte Pflaumenfrucht, dazu etwas Nougat, ein Hauch von Brombeeren und Cassis im Hintergrund. Mittlere Komplexität, rotbeerige Frucht, feine Tannine, frisch strukturiert, salziger Nachhall, zarter blättriger Touch im Rückgeschmack."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2021 Château D'Armailhac is terrific and, like all the releases under the Mouton-Rothschild umbrella, it has terrific depth of fruit and impressive richness. Ripe cassis, smoky tobacco, graphite, and ample minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied, beautifully balanced 2021. It plays in the fresher style of the vintage yet has a great mid-palate, good concentration, and a great finish. It will shine with just 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 15+ years in cold cellars."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2021 d’Armailhac has a deep garnet-purple color. It skips out of the glass with energetic scents of juicy raspberries, cranberries, and red cherries, followed by hints of pencil shavings and lavender. The light to medium-bodied palate is refreshing, with loads of spring in its step, featuring approachable tannins and a red berry lift on the finish."