A mini Palmer vertical

A mini Palmer vertical evening with good friends. For some of us, this was our first true tasting from this famed chateau. The tasting did not disappoint and everyone enjoyed greatly.

• 1999 Château Palmer 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Clear ruby red with long legs. With a bit of aeration time, on the nose there are purple fruits, forest floor, vanilla, incense, fresh spring floral, with a hint of cigar. Putting this beauty on the palate is the best part, soft, plush, pure elegance. Notes of blackberry, cassis, earth, tobacco and truffle come before the fine tannins rounding your palate, beautiful weight to the structure of the wine. Medium length finish with cigar pipe, smoke and wood. If to put one word on this beauty, that'd be "elegance".

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2001 Château Palmer 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Dark ruby red core with pink rim. The most matured one among the three (99, 01, 04), with aromas of bell pepper, cigar box, currants, incense, vanilla and cream. On the palate, very soft and smooth, strong iron mineral note intermixed with spice, cherry juice, tobacco leaf, cream, smoke and coffee bean. Medium bodied mouth feel, tannins have softened quite a bit though remain noticeable. Decent length in the finish with floral and tobacco note. The 2001 lacks a bit of complexity in comparison to the 99 and 04, but its one that's in the right drinking window and is drinking nicely.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2004 Château Palmer 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Opaque, purple color gem. Mesmerizing nose of floral, potpourri, violet, blackberry, cloves, wet earth, cherry liqueur, vanilla, dried leather and a hint of mint. This wine is rich both in aromas and texture, when it hits your palate, there are black fruits, truffle, dark chocolate, tobacco and tea leaf. Round, velvety, lush, prominent yet chewy tannins. Wonderful structure with just right level of acidity to keep it all fresh and balanced. Long finish with dark cocoa, espresso, tobacco and smoke. This wine can age and will certainly turn out great down the road!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2003 Château Malescot St. Exupéry 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  This beautiful ruby red claret is delicious. It has a fantastic nose with Margaux characters, floral, earth, truffle, currants and perfume, it makes you wanting to smell it continuously and get soaked up in it. Malescot is probably considered more masculine from Margaux, so tannins are firm but they are juicy and balancing well with the medium acidity in the wine itself. Very nice structure, dense, close to full bodied mouth feel, with taste of licorice, ripe berry, smoke and tea leaf. Finish is medium, with taste of tobacco and jam. The wine should benefit with more cellar time to develop more complexity.
  
  This wine was drunk up after three delicious Palmers, but it shined its own light with a delightful tasting. It's market price is fair, recommended.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

All three Palmers showed up wonderfully, and each offered its own characters and it was really really interesting.

1999 - This is pure elegance, from the nose to the palate and to the finish. Like a sweet girl next door type of feel.
2001 - The most ready for enjoyment and its drinking very nicely right now. Classy.
2004 - Offers the most complexity and richness, and this can definite age and become great. Young and sexy.

Add in a surprise entry of 2003 Malescot St Exupery, the evening was simply lovely, everyone went home with a smiley face =)