TN: 2002 d'Armailhac

[JimHow]

No surprises here. Everything I look for from 2002 and Pauillac. It is showing some development, although it will probably peak in another ten years or so. Every bit of the restraint you come to expect from the 2002 left bank. Austere in a good way. Nice Mouton purple color, the nose was very lovely from the moment it was uncorked. A definite JimHow kind of wine, but I say that almost 100% of the time when I uncork one of these consistent 2002s from the left bank. Pontet-Canet-like. Got this for less than $25 a few years back. Rating: 92 points.

[Bacchus]

Although I've never had the '02, I generally like d"Armailhac. It never gets the big points, but it seems to convey something about both vine and Pauillac: fruit and terroir in balance.

[robertgoulet]

The '99 rocked me

[JonoB]

When I tried this it tasted like dried and fresh herbs, drizzled perfectly with cassis purée and was delightful in a 2002 way.

With that description I was told by a friends wife to "Oh, Shut Up, Jono".

That was a few years ago, so it is good to hear that the wine is improving nicely.

[stefan]

D'Armailhac has long been one of our favorite modestly priced Grand Cru Classe wines. Tonight we will take the '95 to a tenderloin dinner party that is in honor of The Sucker.

[JonoB]

The 95 is a really fantastic d'Armailhac...

[Blanquito]

This 2002 has always been an excellent d'Armailhac, one could sense its potential on release. I agree with Stefan, almost always good value, but I've come to the conclusion not to make the mistake of cellaring this chateau too long (usually around 10-12 years is good, in my experience). Given that it rarely needs a long time to uncoil, that's not a problem!

That all said, I had the 2002 d'Armailhac a few months ago, and I think it needs another 3-5 years to open up more, but I like my Bordeaux with some mileage on it...