Armailhac

History of Château d'Armailhac

The history of Château d'Armailhac begins in 1680 with the d'Armailhacq family, who acquired lands in Pauillac. In the 18th century, Dominique Armailhac planted the first vines on the family lands, contributing to the growth of viticulture in the Médoc region. The estate, then known as Mouton d'Armailhacq, quickly expanded and gained in reputation.

Classified as a Fifth Growth in the famous 1855 classification, Château d'Armailhac owes its prestige to Armand d'Armailhacq, a pioneer in introducing Cabernet Sauvignon to the Médoc. Passing under the direction of Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1933, the estate then took the name "Mouton Baron Philippe", before returning to its original appellation in 1989 thanks to Baroness Philippine de Rothschild.

Today, Château d'Armailhac is run by the third generation of the Rothschild family, who continue the tradition while integrating modern winemaking techniques.

Terroirs and Vines of Château d'Armailhac

The vineyard of Château d'Armailhac extends over 70 hectares of the left bank, located on three gravelly ridges characteristic of the Pauillac appellation. This exceptional terroir, composed of deep and light gravels, ensures excellent drainage and allows the vines to root deeply, thus favouring the production of high-quality grapes.

The traditional Médoc grape varieties are perfectly adapted here:

Cabernet Sauvignon (53%): This majority grape variety brings structure and longevity to the wines.

Merlot (37%): It softens the blend with notes of red fruits and a velvety texture.

Cabernet Franc (8%): Known for its finesse and elegance, it contributes to the aromatic complexity.

Petit Verdot (2%): This rare grape variety adds a touch of spice and additional structure.

Some plots are distinguished by their unique terroir, such as the Levantines and Obelisk ridge, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Merlot, meanwhile, thrives on the Pibran ridge, a clay-sandy terroir particularly favourable to this grape variety.

Vinification at Château d'Armailhac

Vinification at Château d'Armailhac combines tradition and modernity. The harvests are manual, with a rigorous selection of bunches to retain only the highest quality grapes. Each plot is vinified separately to respect the identity of each grape variety and terroir. 

Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, allowing optimal temperature control for gentle extraction of aromas and tannins. Vatting lasts between 15 and 20 days, ensuring the structure and depth of the wine.

Ageing then takes place in French oak barrels for 16 months, with 30% new barrels. This process gives the wine complex aromas of vanilla, spices and wood, while preserving the freshness of the fruit. The care given to each step guarantees a wine of great precision, both powerful and elegant, characteristic of the best Pauillacs.

The Cuvée of Château d'Armailhac

Château d'Armailhac produces a unique cuvée, representative of the excellence of this Fifth Growth Classified. This wine expresses all the richness of its terroir and grape varieties, with a style that is both refined and powerful. Château d'Armailhac reveals intense aromas of black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, mixed with notes of liquorice, spices and noble wood. These aromas evolve over time, revealing touches of tobacco, leather and undergrowth. The wine offers a full and generous attack, with melted but well-present tannins, which give structure and character to the wine. The texture is velvety, with a beautiful freshness that balances the power of the wine. The notes of black fruits blend harmoniously with touches of spices and dark chocolate, with a long and persistent finish.

Its ageing potential is exceptional, with the ability to evolve favourably for several decades, thus offering wines of great longevity.

Pauillac, one of the most prestigious appellations in the Médoc, ranks among the great Bordeaux wines, with remarkable vintages that have made history. Among the finest vintages are those from 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. The years 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005 also stand out for their richness and power. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 have confirmed Pauillac's exceptional potential, offering wines that are both elegant and powerful, perfect for long-term cellaring.

The Fifth Classified Growths offer a beautiful diversity of properties in the Médoc, testifying to Bordeaux's winemaking expertise. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out with their own characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory from Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château d'Armailhac embodies in itself the history, terroir and excellence of winemaking in Pauillac. Thanks to expertise passed down through generations and an exceptional terroir, this unique cuvée seduces with its complexity, finesse and power. Whether for a lover of great wines or a passionate collector, Château d'Armailhac is an essential choice, combining elegance and character.