CRITIC REVIEWS
Neal Martin
The 2020 d'Armailhac has a more backward nose than its peers, though it gradually unfurls to reveal wonderful blackberry, pencil shaving and violet scents that are very delineated and precise. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe black fruit, quite a "juicy" Pauillac with a lot of concentration that masks the structure underneath. Very persistent on the finish with a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste, this is another long-term Pauillac. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 D'Armailhac strides confidently out of the glass with classic scents of cassis, warm plums and cedar chest, plus wafts of pencil lead, bay leaves and kirsch. The medium-bodied palate has a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the crunchy black and red fruits, finishing savory. The blend this year is 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, with an alcohol of 13.3%.
JancisRobinson.com
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Intensely oaky aroma of sweet spice. And overpoweringly oaky on the palate. Mouth-gripping tannins hide everything else. Fresh enough but the fruit is hidden. This was rated more highly by many in the group so I retasted it but still couldn t get past those tannins. (JH)