Pauillac · fifth growth in the 1855 classification
Château d’Armailhac: vintages available, prices and pairings
The grand vin of Château d’Armailhac, vintage by vintage, with the format, the guide price and what to expect from it today: ready to drink, or for laying down. Tick what interests you, and the quote goes out with your selection.
Vintages on the tariff
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The château
A neighbour of Mouton Rothschild, bought by Baron Philippe de Rothschild in 1933. It changed its name several times (Mouton d'Armailhacq, Mouton Baron Philippe, Mouton Baronne Philippe) before taking back, in 1989, the name of the family that founded it.
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a larger share of Cabernet Franc than most Pauillacs, Merlot and a little Petit Verdot. Softer than Mouton, ready at around eight years, it holds for twenty-five. The appellation's other châteaux are on the Pauillac wines page.
More than 80 hectares, next to Mouton Rothschild to the north, south-facing and spread over four gravel rises: l'Obélisque (deep gravel over clay and sand, Cabernet Sauvignon ground), les Levantines (light, leached gravel, where 60-year-old Cabernet Franc grows), Pibran and Béhéré. The planting: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 2008, an unsettled year saved by an Indian summer, was picked late, from 2 to 15 October. 2009, hot and dry, gave very healthy grapes; the château sees it as a very great vintage. 2011, early and dry, is considered classic.
What to serve it with
- A vintage ten years old or more: roast lamb (wine with lamb), game birds (wine with game).
- A younger vintage: fillet of beef (wine with beef), magret (wine with duck).
- With cheese: pressed cheeses (wine with cheese).
Which vintage for which occasion
Mouton's style and team, at a fraction of the price: for a table of wine lovers or a gift. For a birthday, the year of birth, if the table has it (birth-year vintage).
Is Château d’Armailhac a classified growth?
Yes. It is a fifth growth (cinquième grand cru classé) in the 1855 classification, in the Pauillac appellation.
What is the link with Mouton Rothschild?
The same owning family since 1933, the same teams, neighbouring vines. They are two separate wines: Mouton, a first growth, costs nearly ten times as much.
When to drink a Château d’Armailhac?
Allow eight years before opening it and twenty-five years of good form, a little more in a great year, a little less in a weak year or in half bottles. The table applies this rule to each line; it is not a tasting note, and a badly stored bottle ages faster.
Are the prices shown the ones in the quote?
They are the tariff's guide prices, incl. VAT, per bottle of the format, excluding delivery. The quote confirms the price, the availability of each vintage and shipping; the delivery grid gives lead times. For a vintage not in the table, the quote request is still open.