The 2023 vintage of Château d’Armailhac has joined the Bordeaux En Primeur 2023 campaign, launching at a notable price reduction compared to last year.
The wine is being offered to the international trade at GBP 408 (EUR 475) per 12×75 case, a 15.7% drop from the 2022 release (GBP 484 or EUR 564). Ex-négociant, it comes in at EUR 32.40 per bottle, down 18.2% from 2022 (EUR 39.60).
This strategic pricing move not only responds to the cautious market sentiment but also enhances the wine's competitiveness against its own back vintages.
Critical Reception: A Bright, Elegant Pauillac
The early critical consensus points toward a polished and vivid expression of Pauillac in 2023:
- Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux) awarded 94 points, describing the wine as “bright and vivid from the first moment.”
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Independent) was also highly impressed, scoring it 93–95 points and calling it “lively and elegantly styled, with plush tannins supporting delicate red and black fruit layers.”
- William Kelley (Wine Advocate) gave a 92–93 point range, praising its “cherries, raspberries, licorice and cigar wrapper.”
- Neal Martin (Vinous) scored it 91–93, noting a “tightly wound bouquet that demands encouragement from the glass.”
Together, the reviews frame Château d’Armailhac 2023 as a refined and expressive wine that may benefit from time but is already showing promise.
Vintage Value: 2020 and 2017 Worth Considering
While the 2023 vintage is attractively priced, savvy collectors and value-driven buyers may also want to revisit the 2020 and 2017 vintages, which currently look appealing by comparison:
- Château d’Armailhac 2020 is priced similarly or lower in some markets, and has received consistent praise for its structure and balance.
- The 2017 vintage, while generally overshadowed by bigger years, offers maturity and finesse at competitive prices.
The current release brings the château’s pricing back in line with more realistic market expectations and opens a window for broader vintage comparisons.
Market Context and Outlook
The 2023 En Primeur campaign has seen a growing number of châteaux releasing wines at double-digit percentage discounts, reflecting both global economic headwinds and an effort to rekindle buyer interest. With its price cut and strong critical reception, Château d’Armailhac 2023 positions itself well in this environment — as a smart buy for both collectors and Bordeaux enthusiasts.
Source: Liv-ex