| Producer | Chateau D'Armailhac |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | Pauillac |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 16318 |
| Size | 750ml |
Mild and dry weather set in from the very start of 2022. Abundant sunshine prevailed throughout the vine growth cycle, accompanied by several heatwaves. There was little precipitation from spring until the end of harvest, though April showers and a spell of heavy rain in June regenerated water reserves in the soil.
The vines were able to take advantage of their deep roots to regulate their water supply and showed a great capacity to adapt to the exceptional weather patterns of the vintage. In these hot and dry conditions, flowering took place 10 days earlier than the average: though rapid, it was perfectly even. The advance on the growth cycle continued until harvest as the grapes ripened steadily in ideal conditions.
Picking started at the beginning of September and continued until the end of the month, with a crop in perfect health. Although the hot weather meant that the grapes were rather small, they offered a degree of concentration and balance rarely encountered.
Rocking levels of darker currants, chocolate, tobacco, and spicy notes all emerge from the 2022 Château D'Armailhac, a blockbuster from this château that has ripe, velvety tannins, a beautiful mid-palate, and outstanding length. Based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, this is easily the finest Armailhac I’ve tasted. It already offers pleasure today yet deserves 4-6 years of bottle age and will evolve for 20-30 years if well stored.
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.
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