Chateau d’Armailhac 2016
Chateau d’Armailhac 2016, previously named Château Mouton-d’Armailhacq (historical name from inception, 1750–1955), Château Mouton-Baron Philippe, Mouton Baronne and Château Mouton-Baronne-Philippe (1979–1988), is a winery in the Pauillac appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of eighteen Cinquièmes Crus (Fifth Growths) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. In 1989, Baroness Philippine decided to restore its original identity to Mouton d’Armailhacq, giving it the name Château d’Armailhac.
Chateau d’Armailhac was previously part of their massive vineyards that we know of today as Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The name of the estate came from one of the first owners of the estate, Dominique d’Armailhacq.
During the late 1600’s, the d’ Armailhacq brothers earned their living as river boat captains on the Gironde estuary. It was at that point in time they began purchasing land in Pauillac.
By 1740, the wine was sold under the name of Mouton d’Armailhacq. While the vineyard was known for making Pauillac, it was not as popular or as well known as its neighbors, Chateau Pontet Canet or Chateau Brane Mouton. (Brane Mouton eventually became Chateau Mouton Rothschild)
The d’Armailhacq family, who got their start in the Bordeaux wine trade continued to own the estate until 1843, when the family had fallen deeply into debt and was forced to sell a portion of their property to satisfy their debt.
It was obvious to people in Pauillac at the time the owners of the estate, the d’Armailhacq family needed funds, all they had to do was look at the chateau. The family began to build the chateau in 1820. 10 years later, the slow construction ground to a halt as they could not afford to finish it.
Chateau d’Armailhac Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking
The 50.9 hectare Pauillac vineyard of Chateau d’Armailhac is planted to 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
The majority of the Chateau d’Armailhac vineyard is shaped like a T, with a few scattered parcels in and around Chateau Pontet Canet.
The average age of the vineyard is 46 years, but nearly 20% of the total surface area dates back to 1890.
