Château D'Armailhac, 2010

Chateau d’Armailhac is a 5th Growth Paulliac under the 1855 classification of acknowledged quality. Previously part of the massive vineyards that we know today as Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The name of the estate came from one of the first owners of the estate, Dominique d’Armailhacq.

The majority of the Chateau d’Armailhac vineyard is shaped like a T, with a few scattered parcels in and around Chateau Pontet Canet and not too far from Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The terroir is mostly gravel with sand, clay, and limestone soils. The vines are old. On average the vines are close to 50 years of age. However, it is important to note that some of the oldest vines in the Medoc are at Chateau d’Armailhac. In fact, close to 20% of their entire vineyard is more than 130 years of age with plantings dating back to 1890!

These are some of the oldest vines in all of Bordeaux. Many of those old vines are Cabernet Franc dating back to 1890! As those vines die, they are replaced with Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a better fit for their vineyard.