Chateau d'Armailhac 2010 Pauillac Fifth Growths Grand Cru Classes 《Terroir Collection - ZTF133G》
Region: Pauillac
Vareity: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Alcohol:13.5%
Website : https://www.chateau-darmailhac.com/vintages/chateau-darmailhac-2009
⭐️1855 Bordeaux Fifth Growths Grand Cru Classes
⭐️Purchased by First Growths Chateau Mouton at 1933
⭐️Stephen Brook: "Since 1995 it has gained immeasurably in richness, fruit expression, and complexity!"
⭐️2010 - Wine Advocate Vintage chart 95 points
🏅James Suckling 93 pts
🏅Wine Spectator 93 pts
🏅Wine Advocate 92 pts
Chateau d’Armailhac History
Chateau d’Armailhac was previously part of their massive vineyards that we know of today as Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The name of the estate came from one of the first owners of the estate, Dominique d’Armailhacq.
During the late 1600’s, the d’ Armailhacq brothers earned their living as river boat captains on the Gironde estuary. It was at that point in time they began purchasing land in Pauillac.
By 1740, the wine was sold under the name of Mouton d’Armailhacq. While the vineyard was known for making Pauillac, it was not as popular or as well known as its neighbors, Chateau Pontet Canet or Chateau Brane Mouton. (Brane Mouton eventually became Chateau Mouton Rothschild)
The d’Armailhacq family, who got their start in the Bordeaux wine trade continued to own the estate until 1843, when the family had fallen deeply into debt and was forced to sell a portion of their property to satisfy their debt.
It was obvious to people in Pauillac at the time the owners of the estate, the d’Armailhacq family needed funds, all they had to do was look at the chateau. The family began to build the chateau in 1820. 10 years later, the slow construction ground to a halt as they could not afford to finish it.
For some unknown reason, which may have eventually turned into a tradition, the building was never completed, leaving only half the chateau completed, making what later became Chateau d’Armailhac, one of the more interesting chateau to visit in modern times.
It is thought that Chateau d’Armailhac was one of the first produces to begin planting large portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in their Left Bank vineyards. Eventually the d’Armailhacq family sold the estate to the Ferrand family who in turn sold it to the young, and soon to be famous Baron Rothschild.
For the Baron, this was an important purchase as Chateau d’Armailhac was located right next to Chateau Mouton Rothschild. This purchase allowed Mouton Rothschild to expand their holdings in Pauillac. As part of the deal, Count Ferrand was allowed to remain in residence at Chateau d’Armailhac for the rest of his life, rent free.
In reciprocity, Baron Philippe Rothschild also took over the Bordeaux trading arm of Chateau d’Armailhac, which allowed the Baron to begin producing and marketing this first branded wine, Mouton Cadet.
Chateau d’Armailhac The Modern Era
When the Medoc property was purchased by the Baron in 1934, it was known as Chateau Mouton d’Armailhacq. It was the Baron who changed the name to Chateau d’Armailhac.
In fact, this property has gone through numerous name changes over the years including; Chateau Mouton-Baron Philippe, (1956–1973), Mouton Baronne (1974–1978) and even Chateau Mouton-Baronne-Philippe from 1979 until 1988
To honor his recently deceased wife Pauline, in 1976, the label included “En hommage a Pauline”, for that single vintage. In 1989, the label was changed to the name we know the wine as today, Chateau d’Armailhac.
In 2006, Philippine de Rothschild added to their holdings with the purchase of 24 hectares of vines belonging to Chateau Colombier Monpelou that was owned by Bernard Jugla. Part of the purchase agreement was that the technical team of Mouton Rothschild continue making the wine under the name of Chateau Colombier Monpelou until 2015.
From that point forward, it is expected that most of those vines will be added to the vineyards of Chateau d’Armailhac. Chateau d’Armailhac is not the only Fifth Growth Pauillac vineyard in the Rothschild family holdings. In 1970, they purchased Chateau Clerc Milon.
The best vintages of Chateau d’Armailhac are: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2003 and 2000.
