A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2006 d’Armailhac is deep garnet with a touch of brick. It reveals lively notes of dried Provence herbs, raspberry preserves, and dried redcurrants, plus touches of pencil shavings and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied, the palate is youthful with vibrant red and black berry preserves and a chewy texture, finishing long and energetic.

A clear evolution in construction, helped by the arrival of Petit Verdot into the blend. The tannic construction of a young Pauillac that has not fully relaxed into itself gives an edge of austerity, but is delivering all the mint leaf, graphite, and the salted cracker that gives great confidence in its future ageing direction, along with softely spoken blackberry and raspberry fruit. Classically balanced and concentrated, and we are begininng to reach into the modern era. Philippe Dhalluin director, as he had joined Mouton in 2004, with Jean-Paul Voelert technical director at both Armailhac and Clerc Milon. 30% new oak.

Medium-bodied, red currant, cedar, herb, leaf oriented wine with a slight rusticity to the tannins with a crisp edge to the red fruits and herbs in the finish along with a touch of dust in the classically-styled backend that is fully ready to go. Drink from 2023-2031. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2006&wine=Chateau%20d%27Armailhac

<object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MTJMRdCs01k"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MTJMRdCs01k" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed></object> Rich raspberry purple core with hints of violet on the rim. New oak is very present on the front of the nose with full ripe raspberry and lighter sage aromas pushing through. On the front palate the wine is very soft but builds on the mid-palate with nice structure and tannic strength. Higher toned acids on the mid and back palate bring in flavors of cherry and cranberry. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Château d'Armailhac has a feisty bouquet with tobacco and sage-infused red berry fruit that seem open for business, unlike some of the other 2006 Pauillac wines. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite supple tannin. There is good weight in the mouth with mint-infused blackberry fruit, fine structure with admirable precision on the finish. All it lacks is the persistence of some of its peers, yet it still constitutes a very fine Pauillac that I probably under-rated out of barrel. Tasted January 2016. - Neal Martin