This is very tannic yet polished and firm with currants, bark, and stones. Full-bodied and muscular and linear. Love the length. Beautiful. Try in 2020.

The 2014 d’Armailhac has an open, expressive, engaging bouquet with cedar and pencil-lead infused black fruit. Compared to its peers it feels more austere but that does not detract from its precision and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, well judged acidity, clean and precise with a compelling edginess towards the mineral-driven finish. Bon vin! Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

The 2014 d'Armailhac is absolutely delicious. Dark red cherry, plum, pomegranate, spice and floral notes are bold and exuberant in the glass. This is an especially extroverted, silky d'Armailhac long on class, finesse and resonance. All the elements are in the right place. Ripe, silky tannins add to an overall impression of creaminess, but there is also a terrific element of pure energy here. The 2014 has a bit more Merlot in the blend than usual and also clocks in around 13.8% in alcohol, which is high for the estate. More importantly, though, d'Armailhac is a real overachiever in this vintage. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Dark crimson. Sweet, bright cassis fruit, fragrant on the nose and rich on the palate. Tannins are rounded but thick, needing time to slim down. Dry and chewy on the finish. Lots to get your teeth into and lots more to come. Long, too. (JH)