2023 Chateau d'Armailhac

Pauillac 的骨幹感，年輕就有吸引力——力量與細緻並存。

【為什麼選它？】
1) 來自典型礫石台地：深層礫石＋黏土石灰土，賦予清晰的礦感與縱向結構，飲得出地塊差異。
2) 70% Cabernet 主導：黑果、雪松與煙草調性明顯，能配得起重口味食物，也能收藏。
3) Rothschild 家族掌舵：5ème Grand Cru Classé 的工藝與一致性，品質穩定。

【侍酒師私房筆記】打開後先聞到黑加侖、黑櫻桃與一絲乾花，入口中段飽滿、單寧緊緻但打磨得好，有點薄荷草本和橡木香。口感有礦鹹感和中段厚度，若立刻喝建議醒90分鐘，想收藏再放幾年會更圓潤。

【田地與釀造】葡萄園面積約70公頃，平均樹齡46年，部分老藤可追溯至1890年。種植密度高（約1萬株/公頃），主要生長在 Plateau des Levantines、Pibran 與 Croupe de Béhéré 的礫石層。採收期 9月7日至30日，酒液在橡木桶熟成18個月（約50%新桶），保留果味同時建立骨架。

【場景化配餐】適合週末家庭烤牛、朋友小聚的厚切牛扒、或粵式酒席上較濃郁的紅肉主菜；搭配成熟起司也是好選擇。

【降維打擊對比】比大牌一級莊更實惠，卻能拿到同一帶的礫石能量與家族釀酒經驗，適合想要質感但不願付頭牌高價的買家。

A classic Pauillac built for structure and early allure — power with polish.

【Why choose it?】
- Historic terroir -> Gravelly plateaus deliver precise, minerally Cabernet backbone for long ageing and immediate pleasure.
- High Cabernet percentage -> Clearly defined black fruit, cedar and tobacco notes that stand up to rich food.
- Estate pedigree -> 5ème Grand Cru Classé owned by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, balance of tradition and modern vinification.

【Sommelier's private note】Perfume of cassis, black cherry and dried flowers leads to a palate that's medium–full, concentrated and framed by firm, polished tannins and a saline thread. Oak is integrated after 18 months (c.50% new), giving cedar and cigar-box detail without masking the fruit. Drink now with 90 minutes decant for immediate charm, or cellar for 10–25 years to gain tertiary complexity.

【Winemaking & Vineyard】Harvested 7–30 Sept; vines average 46 years with some plots from 1890. Soils: deep gravels on clay-limestone plateaus (Plateau des Levantines, Pibran and Croupe de Béhéré). High density plantings (≈10,000 vines/ha). Aged 18 months in oak (approx. half new) to keep structure and finesse.

【Occasions & Pairing】Perfect for a celebratory family roast, Cantonese-style banquet where beef is the centre, or an intimate steak dinner. Matches rich sauces, game and mature cheeses.

【Competitive edge】Delivers Pauillac gravitas and Rothschild consistency at a price point below many first-growth adjacent labels — a pragmatic luxury for collectors and hosts.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 13.7%
• Decant Time: 90 minutes
• Taste: blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, graphite, dried flowers, minty herb, spice, firm yet polished tannins, saline minerality, mid-palate concentration
• Food Matching: Roast ribeye / Châteaubriand with béarnaise, Grilled venison or lamb with rosemary, Steak with peppercorn or red-wine jus, Mature cheddar or Lincolnshire Poacher, Hong Kong-style roasted beef (as sharing plate)
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon : 70%, Merlot : 15%, Cabernet Franc : 13%, Petit Verdot : 2%,

Winery

Chateau d'Armailhac（Baron Philippe de Rothschild 擁有）

Chateau d'Armailhac (Baron Philippe de Rothschild)