2012 d'Armailhac

The 2012 Château d'Armailhac has a taut nose with blackberry, briary and graphite aromas that need more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite sweet with a light bitter edge, fine density with a graceful and peppery finish. It's just a bit slight for a Pauillac, rather conservative compared to other vintages. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Red cherry, raspberry puree, raspberry leaf and tobacco, more evolved than many of the 2012 classifieds. This is good quality, open and generous. These were the years when Armailhac was still being made to be the younger sibling of Mouton, reflecting its lighter soils but more importantly its winemaking choices. Extremely mouthwatering, with a skip in its step. Charming, and easy to recommend, in a sweet spot to open.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Aromatic and very Cabernet on the nose. Very sweet and punchy. Sandpaper tannins but at least, unlike some others in this flight, this has real energy . Good stuff! Just slightly drying on the end. (JR)