Château d'Armailhac, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2017

Tasted after the wonderful Clerc Milon, d’Armailhac, whilst not quite at the same level, is mighty impressive; almost certainly the finest wine we can recall tasting from this chateau. The Cabernet Franc brings more florality to proceedings with notes of raspberries, eucalyptus and roses. There's admirable concentration, a certain cut and thrust to the energetic mid-palate and a framework of robust tannins. It feels less exuberant and more vertical than Clerc with a wonderfully salty, nuanced finish of cassis, liquorice and graphite. A top drawer d'Armailhac made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.