94pts Jeb Dunnuck

Lots of spicy, tobacco, saddle leather, and ripe black (and red) fruits emerge from the 2005 Château D'Armailhac, a medium to full-bodied, focused Pauillac that has fine tannins, a supple, layered, precise mouthfeel, and a great finish. While it’s clearly drinking well, it is still slightly tight and compact on the palate, so don’t be afraid to give this some air if drinking any time soon.

93pts Jane Anson

Wild strawberries on the nose, this has high aromatics, gentle toast and cigar box, blond tobacco, undergrowth, the beginning of tertiary, extremely elegant, fine, and classic Armailhac at the time. Almost feels like we are in St Julien, and then the more powerful Pauillac tannins arrive. This is harmonious, with complexity and freshness, with the Cabernet Franc giving salinity on the finish. Campfire smoke and soy start curling out after 30 minutes. 25% new oak. Jean-Paul Vezart winemaker at both Armailhac and Clerc Milon at the time.

92pts Decanter

This is almost the perfect time to drink this wine, although it still needs decanting to bring out the plush strokes of fruit. Aromatically, it majors on cassis, liquorice, cedar and patisserie. This is a lovely wine, a classic Pauillac that is not overly intense and retains a sense of juiciness. 

92pts Wine & Spirits

Located in the north of Pauillac, between Mouton and Pontet-Canet, this 123-acre estate is also part of G.F.A. Baronne Philippine de Rothschild. The aroma balances meaty fruit and mineral scents, and while the pungent red fruit is always there, the tannins seem to increase their intensity with air. They cover the pure black cherry flavor like a powerful skin, deep and plush with an iron-knuckle punch. The tannins don't go away, but their inner velvet eventually wins out.

91pts Vinous

The 2005 d'Armailhac is in a gorgeous spot today. Early signs of aromatic nuance have started to develop, but the 2005 has at least a handful of years of fine drinking ahead of it. Quite frankly, I am surprised how fresh the 2005 is. Dried flowers, cedar, mint, pipe tobacco and sweet red toned fruit are all very nicely delineated. Readers looking for an affordable, mature Claret to drink now will find much to like. 

90pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

D’Armailhac’s 2005 offers notes of cedar wood, forest floor, black and red currants, spice box and earth.

90pts Wine Enthusiast

A big, sweet, soft wine, with attractive ripe blackberry fruits. It’s lively, smoky and licorice flavored, with delicious fresh acidity to finish.

90pts Wine Spectator

Exhibits blackberry, currant and licorice on the nose. Full and velvety, with plenty of good fruit. A balanced, fruity red.