PS to my prior tasting note. There was a leftover glass on Day 1, which I covered and refrigerated. I just finished it on Day 3 and it was sublime. So there’s more longevity than indicated in my prior tasting note. Added a point to my score.
Retains plenty of colour, deep; fragrant, elegant, some red fruits remain; deft palate, lovely weight, real depth, integrated; genteel, extended finish. Classical & classy, aristocratic even. This will provide pleasure for 10+ years, easily. (12.5%).
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Tasted blind. Notes of allspice, cloves, blackcurrant. Cedar, black fruit and mint on the palate, fine but persistent tannins, feels young compared to the 1999 LMHB that was drunk next to it.
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Pnp. A gorgeous wine straight out of the gate, with all the classic aroma and flavour you would expect from a very good vintage of Palmer. clearly nearing end of its prime window though and it is probably a good thing the bottle didnt last more than about 45 mins in our glasses. will look to younger vintages (01/04?) for slightly better value Palmer to drink now I think.
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After a decant, this showed nicely from the outset. However, it couldn't stand up to either time or food. It was disappointing in how it came apart and faded, disippating to not much at all after an hour.
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The '99s have by and large proven pretty, characterful, appealing wines, yet many are seeming to fray a bit at the edges, losing some definition and vivacity. This example of the 1999 Palmer is in keeping with that, the black cherry and violet presence this once sported so clearly coming across as a bit smudged tonight.
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Dinner with Jim & Michelene at our place. An awesome flight with Jim's '83 Lynch Bage and Nita's perfect cast iron 8oz filets! My last of 2 btls. This concerned me a bit upon opening in the afternoon as the nose hinted it might be a tad tired but with a 2-1/2 decant and back in the btl for with the cork out for a few hours this found firm footing and was delightful tonight. Quite pretty and Margaux feminine to Jim's bolder '83 Lynch. This elegant and sexy and at peak. If you own one I'd drink up when convenient but within the next couple of years max.
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Whilst this had such a shy nose despite a full 1 hour decant, and 3 hours bottle breathe, I liked the cedar and cassis palate.
Acidity medium+ with very fine silky tannins, and truffles too. After more hours, nuanced aromatics of herbs then graphite and pencil lead opened up.
Medium to full body. 48% Cab, 46% Merlot, 6% PV.
Theme at Chef RNs home party was Great GCC Bordeauxs,so I decided to bring this bottle I had procured only a year ago from a Swiss broker. It was a nice side by side with RNs incredible Palmer 1982... which really blew my bottle away.
In 2020, Decanter described that whilst this wine should be good for 2025 to even 2030, it's not one for longer aging.
About 50% of all grapes made it to this Grand Vin in what was a rather difficult 1999 vintage. This wine is from the era of Philippe Delfaut.
Pity the sumptuous bouquet described by Vinous and Wine Advocate in their reviews over the past 5 years was not there in my bottle.. and I did check each 1 hour as I prepped this Palmer 1999.
I have to say I found this "wine of the vintage" rather unremarkable, but I think that could have been attributed to some bottle variation.
Had great advice from Hangi as well as Mark1NPT (CellarTracker) on the prep, and expectations.. and on this occasion it just didn't show. Cork was in good condition, only 3 mm soaked and the durand took care of the opening in a very clinical way.
Home of RN, joined by his missus M, DQ and BL, LMC, as well as L Rainy night.. Outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 28 Oct 2023
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Restrained at opening, the wine blossomed after 2 hours of air. Complex, elegant and refreshing with floral note, dark fruits, chocolate, creaminess and some menthol. Very fine tannins. Very enjoyable now and still has enough acidity to cellar it for another 10 years.
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Blueberry, black currant, ripe Italian prune plums, developed and mature, very dark in the glass but no tannins or heaviness on the palate, refreshing, luxurious, elegant finish, brilliant from the first pour to the last. 48% cab sauv, 46% merlot, 6% petit verdot. Purchased a single bottle on release, stored in temperature controlled storage. Did not decant. Paired with traditional French cuisine (pate en croute w foie gras, roast chicken, haricort verts, pommes frites, pistachio soufflé) at Benoit NY for my 65th birthday dinner.
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Ornellaia Dinner (Stefani Prime - Lincolnwood IL): Served just after the 82 and 62, this was popped-and-poured. This always exceeds tasters' expectations and didn't disappoint tonight. Black current and cherry with chocolate and faint meat notes. Excellent balance and depth. So tasty right now.
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En sky av bringebær, solbær og frukttobakk kommer opp fra glasset. Vinen er strålende parfymert, elegant som en burgunder på nese og med fuktig munnfølelse mot krydder, skogbunn og sødmefull frukt i munn.
Fortsatt endel robusthet i denne vinen til videre lagring, men gir også veldig mye glede nå.
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Amazing Bordeaux To Mark A Special Birthday (Noizé, London): Wow. Nose has a lovely florality to it, a carnation button hole? Some smoky raspberry too, a little torn mint leaf and later some rosebed. Palate is one of the best showings of any wine in the line-up. Multi-layered beautifully resolved tannins, so well balanced and texturally gorgeous. My third favourite wine of the night.
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I am continually amazed at how long Bordeaux must be aged. This wine is good now, but has years ahead.'59 and '61 greats are still drinking well. Only '85 has tasted good from birth, and has experienced no dumb phase. This wine has plenty of tannin and fruit along with adequate acidity. Drink or hold (if you expect to live a while).
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For myself undoubtedly wine of the vintage, and the best Palmer from the 1990s. It is quintessentially Palmer with a delicate nose and with a lightness of touch on the palate with red berry fruits and floral notes. However, the depth and complexity is worthy of a first growth wine. Likewise the finish is lengthy and impeccable. A note of caution at this stage of its life this needs at least 3 hours in an open decanter.
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Wine Workshop: Chateau Palmer (Benoit): Being contrarian I'm going to say this was my favorite of the flight but a lot of that was because it's the most ready to drink right now (the other two would still benefit from age). This isn't going anywhere but I'm not sure it's getting significantly better either. Dark fruits with nice balance. Less vibrancy than '01 and '02 but more secondary which was good. Drinking nicely.
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The bottle was in pristine condition and the cork appeared brand new. On opening, the wine was acidic and underweight, begging for air. It gained some weight with time, and I started sipping on it around hour 4. Beguiling aromas and flavors with black plums and black cherries accentuated by licorice, cloves, earth, leather, smoke, cocoa powder, espresso and mushroom. Plenty of structure remains to continue aging with elevated acid and plenty of tannin left which came across as a bit sharp. The finish is long and super spicy. Suddenly with my last glass at the 8 hour mark, the wine hit another gear. The fruit gained weight melding with all the tertiary notes, a dusting of green herbs emerged, the tannins softened, and the acidity integrated into the fruit. Lesson learned – next time, I’m decanting 8-12 hours!
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Allowed 2 hours of slow-ox. Elegant, good fineness, yet with a very formidable structure. A very balanced bottle. Still a decade of life ahead but is ready to please anyone now.
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Wow, what a nose. Distinctly Palmer. Sous-bois, pressed summer flowers, truffles, tobacco and deli meats. Lithe palate with good freshness despite its 23 years. Everything in perfect harmony although there are some tannins yet to be resolved. Medium-bodied and more on the feminine side. Based on this bottle, another 5-10 years of prime drinking ahead. Wonderful.
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Dinner at Noize: Well what I can say, one of my WOTYs last year and an absolute pleasure to have it again. Similar impressions to before but this bottle was less seductive on the nose and the tannins were a little rougher, but still such a complete wine that would win over any Bordeaux sceptic.
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Dinner with Melvin (Noize): I just loved the nose of this wine, and as I write these notes 24 hours later it's that single attribute of the night's wines that I remember most fondly. Greenish, minty Cabernet notes on the nose, and plenty of tertiary development: truffle, beef blood, smoke. Still the vestige of tannin; actually more evident than in the 2010 alongside it, or perhaps that reflects more sophisticated winemaking 11 years later than the vintage itself. Medium-bodied and refreshing, concentrated dark berry fruit and some spice. Beautifully integrated and frankly delicious.
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If there is a better wine from this vintage, I would love to know what it is. Pavie and Lafite in the running but I think this is better. Double decanted four hours before dinner. Wonderful Margaux florals. Violets and lavender. Bold, distinctive fruit with currant and plum. Perfectly integrated firm tannins. Drink or hold. Outstanding.
Black olive notes on the nose suggest age. Tannic bite on the palate suggests that this wine has not yet peaked. How long must we live to appreciate our Bordeaux at peak? I'm grateful to have cellared many '85's ; my current go to Bordeaux for drinking today. Give this one a few more years, and you will be rewarded.
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Drinking at just about peak, the wine is intensely floral, with notes of roses, lilacs, and lavender. From there you find cigar box, tobacco, dark cherry, currant, and boysenberry, with a light touch of cocoa in the background. Popped and poured, the wine is silky, soft, lush, fresh, and spicy, with lift, freshness, and sweet, ripe, red fruits with peppery overtones on the backend.
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For myself this is the wine of the vintage and is probably the best Palmer from the 1990s. It unmistakably wears its badge on its sleeve with a deeply aromatic nose of dark berry fruits and floral notes primarily of violet. There is still some lightness mid palate but it is gaining more and more depth with each passing year. The finish is excellent and pushes 60 seconds. This undoubtedly will continue to evolve and improve over the next few years, but with a few hours in the decanter it's hard to resist this now. 96+
Belated birthday dinner: Decided to splurge on this as a birthday wine after tasting the magnificent 2005, wasn't disappointed. Perfect cork. Dark ruby red that made the wine appear very young, very sexy wine. Ripe red fruits that tasted a little modern, sensual and refined tannins but not overdone. Can see why some people guessed Italian on this. A sublime finish confirmed this as a blockbuster of a wine. Wish I had more.
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Subtle on the nose. Black cherry, cassis, and some blue fruit as well. A touch of earth and oak, but overall fairly quiet on the nose upon opening. In the mouth, it’s medium body, with moderate plus acidity and medium plus tannin. More bright red fruit comes out on the palate. This is bright and taught at the moment. I think some more bottle age would do this well. The tannin on the finish lingers and it’s overall a more elegant style of Bordeaux. I’d give this another 5 years before trying again.
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Party at YB's Pine Close. Tasted blind. Drank in Grassl 1855. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs. Nose pronounced intensity, with aromas of cheesy earth, blackcurrant, blackberries, black plums, tobacco, ripe bell peppers. Developing. On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol (12.5%), resolved high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of blackcurrant, blackberries, black plums, tobacco, cheesy earth, some floral + oak spices. Very long finish. Very good quality. I was guessing late 90s Left Bank Bordeaux. Still rather fruity and going strong. Love the cheesy earthy element. Bravo for 12.5% alcohol.
Outstanding. Hitting on all cylinders with bright red fruits and vibrant tannins and acidity. Best ‘99 I have had. Decanted for 90 minutes. Why can’t there be more fantastic wines like this with 12.5% alcohol?
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Tasted regularly, this has been in its drinking window for the last couple of years, but it still benefits from extended decanting. For myself this is the wine of the vintage and out scoring the first growths, and along with the 2000 vintage the best since the legendary 1983. It is still in development, but is already showing secondary notes and will undoubtedly continue to improve. The nose is opulent with dark berry fruits and plum with floral hints primarily of violet. It is still a little green mid palate, but it does not detract. The depth and balance are impeccable, and the finish pushes 60 seconds. This should be worthy of another couple of points in a few years.
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Opened about an hour in advance. No decant. My second of 4 bottles bought in 2002 at a glorified convenience store (sitting upright/good price). I drank the first bottle around 2010, and it was completely closed, all tannins. Great turnaround with this bottle. Always a good sign when popping the cork and a bouquet of violets fills the room. Despite that, the subsequent nose was classic but not exuberant. Strong mid-palate with depth. Very enjoyable and stood up well with rack of lamb. Plenty of structure and would think it has many years (decades?) of drinkability. It’s definitely in a good place now though.
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Smoky and intoxicating fresh cassis, blueberries, violet floral, menthol, tobacco, and graphite with a slight barnyard tone. Elegant, refined, harmonious yet expressive medium bodied flavors of blueberry fruit with a hint of savory barnyard, graphite, leather and spices. Very fine tannin and great length here. A wine that will put a smile on your face even in the toughest times.
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Very young stil. Rich, balanced, vertical, has some edge. Shows mint, blackcurrant, keeps everything tight at the moment - wait for this. 94+ #IB#Palmer1961-night
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Drank this bottle over 2 nights because it wouldn't open up on the first night.
NOSE Intensity: Medium+ to pronounced -1ST NIGHT Initial scent of flowers, perfume, tar, super strong cured meat smell, fruity smell After 7 hours in: eucalyptus, chocolate -2ND NIGHT nutty, mint, eucalyptus, hint of cigar, red cherries, cedarwood, licorice
PALATE Body: medium+ to full Acidity: medium+ Intensity: medium+ to pronounced -1ST NIGHT Tar, tobacco, cured meat, cherries, red fruits Felt really closed -2ND NIGHT Cigar, tobacco, Brands Chicken Essence, meaty aftertaste tiny bit of lead and pencil shavings, licorice, quite strong eucalyptus, black tea aftertaste, plum red cherries aftertaste Seems like every sip I took, I found something new
TEXTURE Tannins: high Really thick, chewy tannins. But smooth. Much rounder and more comfortable on second night.
BALANCE Tannins heavy are a bit too much for my liking, a bit distracting. But at this point, I am nitpicking. Other than that, the overall balance is good.
COMPLEXITY Incredible! See nose and palate notes
FINISH Length: Long The aftertaste changed throughout the 2nd night. See palate notes.
CONCLUSION Readiness: Drink now, but still has many years ahead of it. Loads of potential. Really need a long decant before the wine starts becoming expressive. It was super enjoyable. One of my favourite wines.
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[Tasted Blind] Pours medium to dark ruby. No bricking. The nose isn't terribly complex. Quite a lot of new oak that is only somewhat integrated. This wafts plum, sawdust, dark roast coffee grounds, and fresh split pine. The palate features ripe, plummy fruit that I enjoy but quote a lot of woody tannin on the finish. It's clear that despite having a lot of new wood this is integrating and maturing. I guessed a cooler vintage Cab/Merlot from Bordeaux, or a warmer vintage in Niagara. A decent quality wine. On reveal I was shocked to see it was Palmer. Definitely a disappointment given the pedigree. This is is 89-90, and I'd like it more at $20 - $40.
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Wine Night Commanderie @ GWC!: Really nice from the start - black fruits, violets, boysenberry, slight smoke and black tea notes. Nice warm finish. When this was revealed as a Palmer '99, a few of us were very surprised as this was our 3rd try this year and the best IMO. So fresh and vibrant, and nicely matured and in its prime. Fine tannins which brought out the flavours and complexity. One of my top 3 reds for the night and I would even call this my red WOTN due to the positive surprise! 94/95
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During a Bordeaux tasting dinner. Medium-dark garnet, fantastic nose here, mature and balanced with forest floor, sweet spices, earth and pine tree. A grand Wine.
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Wine Night @ Imperial Great World City!: Linear, precise and structured. Fine tannins. Slightly tight so this needs some time to air. This should drink well for a long time so no rush. 93/94
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For myself this is the wine of the vintage, and pre millennial only surpassed by the 1983 and I would assume the 1961(having never had the privilege of tasting). This is definitely ready to go, but has many years ahead of it. It really needs a few hours in the decanter. The nose is deep with ripe fruit with blackcurrant and red cherry prominent, with subtle hints of vanilla and a floral blast, primarily violet. The tannin is still in the process of sweetening, but the complexity on the palate is exceptional, and likewise the finish is pushing 60 seconds and perfectly balanced. Give this another year or two and I can see myself scoring this another couple of points higher. 96+
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A point ! Gave it 2 h of decanting and found a wunderful bordeaux with all the earthy stuff. Very round with enough fine tannin left to balance . This is a more silent one. Not the big punch in the face. Slightly burgundian. Lovely. No hurry
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At its peak or past. Decanted 1 hour before dinner and it was marvelous and was fading an hour later. Maybe decant 1/2 hour early, depending on number of people consuming. Reidel Bordeaux glasses.
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3rd of three bottles, and another great bottle. Initially tighter than the other two, but decanting at dinner helped open it up. Beautiful floral notes on the nose and lovely fruit. I can't imagine any better Bordeaux from '99.
No so impressive initially, a bit lean and meager, the 1999 vintage coming through. improved as it sat in the glass with more forest aromas and sweet spices emerging. Nice, but definitely not in the Chateau Palmer hall of fame.
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Two bottles opened, one quite flat and quiet on the nose though cedary and violet-tinged palate (89). The second more expressive on the nose with typical Palmer floral notes though not nearly with the depth, focus, or sophistication of a bottle opened several months back from a different source (91). A bad batch?
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The signature Margaux notes (particularly the earthy nose) were a bit softer here than I was expecting but I found this wine very enjoyable. Drinking really nice right now. Open one if you have it.
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Not rating this since the purpose of this note is more a warning about proper serving rather than the merits of the wine. Prior tasting note was based off 375 and properly chambered and aired. This was out of magnum and due to circumstances could not be chambered for more than an hour and also given 1 hr of air. This hid a lot of the more refined and complex notes of the earlier half bottle. If ever one needed a reminder that high sediment wines, like this one, need time to settle and also decanting, this wine provides it. Still a fabulous wine but with sour edges that were absent from the earlier experience and missing that extra edge of fabulousness that you will get if you treat it nicely. Score was 95 earlier, FYI. Still think it deserves it.
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Classic mature old school styled Bdx. Completly different than modern style present in today BDX wines. Strong maybe even tough structure, long dry aftertaste. Elegant with medium body. There is not any trace of sweetness , only sour and dry personality. Only for true lovers of old style Pauillac wines based on cabernet sauvignon. Very suprising showing for wine from Margaux appelation and almost 50% proportion of merlot grapes in final blend. It is obviously not fleshy. More intelectual than hedonistic wine. I recomend long decanting as last sip ( on second day) tasted the best!
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Bordeaux for once :) (Friend’s place): Blind, Alltogether those wines were so good and on such the same level and yet all so different, great to have them like that...loved the idea of the tasting, nose is slightly évolutif, discret, gamy, pencil, dried meat, intense, the plate is juicy, and fresh, good, a bit shorter than the Mouton, nice fat and dark ripe fruits, as a matter I thought it’d be the Mouton, and it was the Margaux.... man that is just so difficult, we never taste those hugely priced babies... Good Wine...
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Grand Bordeaux tasting at K&L: Tawny red fruit on the nose. Dried cherries. Dates. Cocoa powder. Tobacco and leather.
On the palate, the tannins are mostly resolved, and this is definitely the most tertiary wine of the evening. Leather. Cocoa dusted cherries. Dried fruit. Anise. Earth. Sandalwood. Cedar. Excellent bottle of classic Bordeaux in the prime of its drinking window.
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The nose reveals, ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. Touch cooked green bell pepper, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers.
The body is just full. The tannins are soft, round, chewy and tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance are pretty good for 99. ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. more cooked green bell pepper on the palate, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers. The acidy is nice. The finish is elegant, well balanced but, not as rich as other good vintages Palmer. It is spicy and persists minutes on the palate.
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1/3, excellent cork, decanted 1/2 an hour. Youthful appearance - deep ruby core, vary narrow pale ruby/purple rim. Nose also quite youthful with black and red berry fruit, floral notes, touch of gravelly mineral. Medium bodied, red and black berries to the fore, very fine tannins if still a touch firm, deep with vibrant acidity and a long, very lightly savoury finish. Whilst this is drinkable now it is still very much on the upslope.
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A contender for wine of the vintage, for myself this outdrinks the left bank first growths by a distance. It is just nudging into to its optimum drinking window with time in the decanter and glass. The nose is full and deep with cherry and blackcurrant with vanilla hints. On the palate there is a steeliness to the tannin, but the fruit still prominent. The balance and depth on the palate and finish are outstanding and the best pre millennium example of the estate since 1983. As stated previously, once this fully develops its secondary and tertiary characteristics, I can see myself scoring this in the high nineties. 96+
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BBQ and Top Shelf Vino (Chez Moll): Blind. Attractive aromas of perfumed red fruit with some spice, licorice and new leather. Pure, lifted fruit on the palate. Refined and silky tannin. I went to Piedmont. Surprised this didn't show any traces of Cab character.
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Saturday BBQ (Chicago, IL): I don't think it's a good thing when the blind guess here from everyone else is nebbiolo... In any case, this does have an intense perfume on the nose, though a lot of the cabernet elements seem to be lacking -- the graphite, the pencil lead, the dried fruits -- all not there. But this is still very delicious, with a supple amount of red and black fruit, a nice minerality, and no signs of that concerning heat that was mentioned in some more recent reviews. It's not going to be a profound Palmer, but this is drinking quite pleasantly now.
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2019 Palmerathon: This is really coming around beautifully with an open, inviting nose full of cherry, redcurrant, roses, violets, and cedar. Gorgeous, feminine personality. 94+
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If not at its peak, awfully close, though no danger of fading any time soon. Just a delicious bottle, and hard to imagine anyone produced a better Bordeaux in 1999.
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Birthday dinner No. 1 - at La Piquette (my favorite French bistro in DC), decanted for 60/90 minutes before dinner, and a perfect accompaniment to the ribeye/frites, and the mushroom risotto. The '99 Palmer is drinking beautifully right now, very close to, if not at, its peak. I would guess this has at least 5-10 years ahead. Maybe the wine of the '99 vintage, and a beautiful bottle of 20 year old Bordeaux.
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Opened on return home from Paris. This is a very complete wine which although lacking a little of the drive and texture of the greatest years demonstrates a deep crimson colour and a beautiful nose of violets, blackcurrants, damson plums, dark chocolate and touches of cedar and cigar box. The palate has a lovely texture and balance with plenty of length and persistence. The roundness of Merlot is evident and lifts the colours of the wine in the way of the best Palmers. Complete, ready and delicious.
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A beautiful nose of roses, black cherry, thyme, truffle and a light background note of cocoa make this fun to work with. On the palate, the wine shows silky, soft, textures, an elegant, fresh character and sweet cherries in the upbeat finish. This is fully mature. If you have a bottle, this is the sweet spot. I'd hit it over the next 10-12 years.
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Good Wine with a Boring Super Bowl (Chez Kailin - Northbrook IL): Social walk-around tasting, brief note. Black cherry and currant with espresso and dark chocolate hints. Exceptional balance with sneaky structure and length. My favorite wine tonight for its enjoyment now.
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A real triumph of the '99 vintage. Nothing underripe or past peak about this wine. Dark cherry color fading to a pale rim. On the nose, lots of cassis and plum, along with cedar, eucalyptus, and even a hint of sweet barbecue smoke. Very slightly floral. Has that luxurious Palmer mouthfeel, with lush, well-integrated tannins along the cheeks. On the palate, more cassis and plum, along with some blackberry and that hint of smoke. Long finish, even if slightly drying. This is the wine to convert critics of the '99 vintage. Ready to go now but with nearly ten years of continued life ahead of it. If drinking now, it's ready straight out of the bottle.
Dad pulled for Christmas dinner. I popped at 430 and tasted over two hours. The wine was left until dinner at seven.
Firm structure, deep color and a lush mouth. There is an elegant softness as the wine closes and it gained some weight in the glass. I would not wait as it seems at its apex.
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With a few hours in the decanter, this is firmly in its drinking window, and although it will continue to develop, it certainly not too young as per some other reviews. The nose is opulent with blackcurrent and ripe cherry, with subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate the fruit is lush, and combines with cigar box. The complexity and depth are outstanding, with the tannin nearly resolved. Completed with a 30+ second finish, this is my favourite Palmer after the 1983, pipping the 1989. I can see myself elevating the rating by a point or two, over the next couple of years.
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Clear, dark purple with ruby hues. Would never have thought 20 years old! A young but developing nose. Blackcurrents, floral, inky. After an hour, some hay. Low tannins, low alcohol. Medium bodied. Medium to long finish. Elegant and silky. Layered and balanced. This was nice treat. Served by KB. Drink now to 2039+
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Decanted for an hour, dark fruits, still quite primary nose, inky, youthful colour, silky elegant palate, a straight laced proper Palmer that was not quite ready to party, drank with the 79 Palmer, next bottle in 2025 93+
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The wine starts off with lilacs and thyme. With air you find cigar box, earth and unlit cigar wrappers. Lush, soft and silky, there is a refined quality to the ripe, dark, red fruits here that feels great. Decanted 45 minutes, this is drinking in the sweet spot today. It should continue at this high level for at least another decade.
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Earthiness, dark fruits on the nose, some smoke, very balanced. On palate, very impressed by the structure and nice acidity. Got good amount of fruits but very elegant. The wine is still young, can enjoy now or later (age another 5-10 years).
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Joanne Bordeaux Trip 2018 (Bordeaux): Blind tasting with Thomas Duroux at Chateau Palmer. Wouldn't you know it that this flight of three were all the same vintage out of different formats -- 1999. All three were gorgeous, dark, earthy, floral and rich with lifting acidity and great energy. However, what really surprised me was how I preferred the one from 375ml, to the 750ml, as the 375 showed a more open floral and spice character and the 750 seemed quite broad on the palate. However, it was the magnum that stole the show, with more power, tension and focused fruit. (93+ - 375ml, 91 - 750ml, 94 1.5L Mag)
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Delicious mature fruit with hint of leather and sandalwood. Some light tannin and a decade at least of life ahead for those lucky enough to be patient. Enjoy!
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I found the 1999 Palmer a little disappointing. I thought that there was some evidence of under-ripeness, I also found it to be sour with an incredibly dry finish. I have to admit I expected more from this prestigious chateau in this vintage. Not a bad wine by any means but lacked a certain Wow factor.
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My favourite current Palmer ( the 1983 was the ultimate but is now starting to show decline). With a classic 12.5% alcohol content, the wine is surprisingly forward with a wonderful nose of blackcurrent and red cherry with hints of vanilla but also this time with a background of cedar and apple. On the palate the wine is opulent with good balanced tannin and possessing layers of complexity and completing with a lengthy satisfying finish. This needs time in the decanter and will continue to improve. For myself it is the wine of the vintage.
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I poured a coravin sample as I decanted the 1988 for dinner tonight. I always start a Bordeaux wine analysis the same way.
I read Jeff Leve's information on the vintage in order to see if I can make sense of the wine I taste with the climate of that year. Granted there are other variables but it wasn't looking good for 99. Hurricane, rot, rain and late bloat, hail, etc. Per Leve there was something different about Palmer.
It has a wonderful classic nose with prune and candied plums. The taste is long on the palate, fading late with volatile alcohol and tannin. A gem. This was my test bottle. I will acquire more.
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Decanted for 3 hours. It kept getting even better throughout the night.
Attractive nose of cassis, cedar, almost perfumy.
On the palate, it has generous cassis, blueberry, fresh berries, cedar, sweet floral flavours. Flavours are well integrated. One can slurp the wine to extract more flavours. More fruitty than floral. Fresher and more primary than expected. Not as floral and earthy than usual. The healthy acidity forms a very good backbone to the structure. Palate is angular and not as rounded as I had hoped.
The mouthfeel is smooth and the tannins are firm yet finely resolved. But this is not as velvety as Chateau Palmer can be.
It is not a wow wine, but it's quietly graceful. Everything is not as top notch as the very best Chateau Palmer can be, but it gives very good drinking experience. I am grateful for what Chateau Palmer has done in the challenging vintage of 1999
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Awesome Bordeaux. Intense pure red fruit. Red fruit nose, elegant and refined, but with some power on the palate. Plush palate with mostly integrated tannins. Wow wine and ready to go. More primary than I would expect but given the tannin integration probably not one to hold more than another 10yrs. A+
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Greatly exceeded expectations given the meh vintage. Served from half-bottle. Started showing well quite quickly - one hour only of air - with rich bouquet of dark plum, blackberry, truffle, loam, and sweet florals. Taste was plum, cherry, vanilla, touch of candied orange. Loads of well integrated tannins; a backbone that complements the fruit beautifully. Decant this one - lots of sediment. Just entering maturity window. Fabulous, especially for the vintage.
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Château Palmer will forever be remembered as a standout in the otherwise unremarkable 1999 vintage. A blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, this bottle was purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion. There is no lack of color here, as this particular specimen yielded a deep ruby/red wine that is very youthful in appearance. Allowing four hours in decanter, it progressively delivers aromas and flavors of ripe plums, orange peel, lavender, loamy earth, truffles and pipe tobacco. Full-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (12.5%) and with soft residual tannins, it has a layered, silky-textured mid-palate and a very lengthy finish. Those holding comparably cellared bottles will be rewarded, as this gem is actually very early in its drinking window. Enjoy it throughout the next decade. Drink now-2030.
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Six hours of aeration (no decanting) and this outstanding wine was very ready for business. Overwhelming nose of red and black fruit, pencil, smoke, juicy meat and a nice delicate undertone of fresh truffle and spring flowers. The almost 50% merlot treats the palate with its velvety, silky, lush, sexy mouthfeel. Just entering its plateau of maturity. No hurry for well stored bottles. On par with its famous 1st growth neighbor Chateau Margaux, in Margaux as well as on our table...
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Drinking very well at this stage, nicely mature, but will hold for a while. Still plenty of fruit, nicely integrated at this point. Very expressive nose. Very, very good.
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The color looks a bit advanced for its age, but that's the vintage. The nose is a treat, with its light dose of truffle, flowers, cherry pipe tobacco, incense, thyme and plum scents. Pure silk and velvet on the palate. The fruit displays a purity of sweet cherries. The medium bodied wine is fully mature and the fruit has just started to lighten. So, if you have this gem in your cellar, pop a cork, as it is not getting better with more age. This bottle was decanted about 45 minutes. Less air would probably be a bit better. The wine was made from blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot.
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My 3:rd Palmer: 1999, 2006 and 2008. What a nice wine. Great, ripe, slightly dark, fruit, all in harmony and balance. Needed a 2 hour decant, at least. Could add 1-2 points with more time. A lot more fruity and less nuanced than the Margaux, which we had a bit later.
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Birth year wine of my son and drank with him (and some grilled rib eyes) on his 18th birthday.
Medium ruby appearance and no sign of lightening.
Evolving nose of black fruits- blackberry and cassis, tobacco, smoke and a touch of vanilla. Very elegant aromas that all hang together .
On the plate the wine is medium bodied with a bit less fruit and a bit more tobacco, spice and some savory elements. Medium tannin and acidity with a long finish.
Just an elegant and beautiful example that reminds us that Bordeaux used to be a much "cooler" climate appellation. Drinking well now but this could keep for 2 more decades easily. Purchased on release in 2002 .
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solid but not spectacular after 3 hour decant. I failed to check bottle so not sure if Chicago or PLCB bottle. It was fine, but not sure if really shone
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This is the second time I have had this wine during the last 12 months and it reaffirms everything I posted previously. The pureness of the nose is astounding with wafts of blackcurrent, red cherry and vanilla. It fills the mouth with luscious ripe berry fruits and meets velvety tannins before tapering off with a soft lingering finish. It does benefit from a few hours in the decanter. This is the best Palmer I've tasted since the 1983 and is definitely wine of the year. Incidentally it had developed further over the last six months and had marginally improved. 97+
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Ok so much for non-heralded vintages. This wine was primed tonight. Deep, opaque purple black color. Full bodied with aromas of Cedar, a smokiness that i described as 'post forest-fire' (others said BBQ) because it had an earthy forest aroma but was smoky and brooding, and grilled meat. The palate was pure black currant fruit coupled with middle eastern spice profile. The mouthfeel I can only describe as sexy and the finish was one of the longest persistent finishes I've ever experienced. Highest recommendation. Don't be afraid of off vintages from great chateau.
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Decanted for one and one half hours. What a bodacious bouquet- a fresh and spring like garden of wisteria and voilets has energy and grace. Black cherry and blueberry, some sweet cedar and red licorice, fresh forest floor, dark chocolate, African spices, a touch of crème brûlée gives this delicious, elegant, finely detailed, wine a finish that is forever. Top tier of the 1999’s.
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Fantastic bottle. Young still at 17 years of age. Fresh and vibrant red and black fruit. Tannins still a bit strong and dry. Lovely fresh and deep nose and ample fruit and body. Good crisp acid. This can age so much longer. Had this alongside 1999 Haut Brion. The HB was superior in smoothness of texture/mouthfeel only. Otherwise the Palmer was every bit its equal, and actually felt fresher and younger. This is a great Palmer in a less-than-great vintage.
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Bt decanted over 3 hrs, deep crimson in color, nose of cassis, cocoa and cedar. Quite oaky on palate, but plenty of dark fruits, sweet and mildly acidic, a great balance. Quite oaky and maybe more time to resolve, tannin however, was velvetly. Very lovely now.
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This has really suddenly come to life, and surely is contender for wine of the vintage. The pureness of the nose is astounding with wafts of blackcurrent, red cherry and vanilla. It fills the mouth with luscious ripe berry fruits and meets velvety tannins before tapering off with a soft lingering finish. This is the best Palmer I've tasted since the 1983.
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Clearly one of the most impressive 1999 Bordeaux wines. A beautiful dark ruby color. The nose was expressive from the get-go, with cassis, blackberry, cigar box, leather, violets, and tobacco. With time, a distinctive chocolate note emerged. I was really impressed with the wine's impeccable balance; everything just seems to fit together. Solid on the mid-palate and silky smooth. A real crowd-pleaser wine. Impressive length on the finish, as it just seemed to linger on the palate. The tannins need a bit of taming but they're not intrusive at all. Medium acidity.
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The first thing you notice is the purity of the blackberry liqueur, followed by truffle, cedar, tobacco, thyme and plum aromatics. While that gets your motor running, the sexy, silky, voluptuous textures and decadent profile make their debut, finishing with plush, sensuous, dark fruits. What a beauty! In contention for wine of the vintage, this is really drinking well today with 20/30 minutes of air.
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The last wine in this Chateau Palmer mini vertical. Very backward and dark in colour. On the nose quite complex and open. Great balance on the palate, round but grippy tannins, fresh and bright with good fruit and length. Very impressive and after the wonderful 2005 my WOTN. 92-94
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A nice wine in a rather challenging vintage. Medium-bodied, round, velvety tanins, and a decent finish. You can feel there is a slight lack of maturity, but there is a good depth and some freshness. A nice bottle, yet not a truly great one.
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Klar, dyp rød. Generøs nese med mørke bær, tobakk, lær og skogbunn. Bløt, dyp, aromatisk og forholdsvis mørk frukt med lett utvikling. Frisk, saftig syre. Milde, nedslepne tanniner. Flott lengde.
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Decanted for around 3 hours. Dark ruby, medium viscosity. Gorgeous perfumed nose: floral & dark fruit, yet without the musty scent of its age. Tasted lighter than expected. Moderate acidity; pleasantly lush & silky mouthfeel; surprisingly smooth and rounded tannins. Tasted of blackcurrant with hints of spice. Lovely, evolving finish which lasted forever. Still very early in its drinking window and will drink well over the next 20 years. WOTN, beating the 2000 Pavillon Rouge de Margaux by a mile.
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Tampa Spring Break (the abridged version); 3/17/2016-3/18/2016 (Various Tampa locations (Mise en Place, Ocean Prime, etc.)): Our contribution for the evening. I had no idea the Palmer was a third growth. Was up against some seconds (Las Cases and Mission Haut Brion), but felt like it held it's own. It's more fruit forward than the other two or maybe the fruit just hadn't faded yet. Fig, plum, sawdust, leather, earth. Very good. I thought the finish was a bit quicker than I'd have liked, but overall a nice wine.
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This is really showing great today. The earthy, floral, blackberry nose continues until you're ready for the polished, silky, elegant, fresh, sensuous wave of fruit that hits your palate. Satisfying and complete. There are few if any older vintages of Palmer that are this good, close to mature, and for Palmer, sell for this little money in the marketplace today.
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Pretty much everything you'd hope for from Bordeaux and especially Margaux. Decanted for 90+ minutes and then back into the btl with the cork out for another good hour. Pretty medium ruby color. Fairly light sediment and a strong cork. Fantastic big nose of tobacco and floral aromas. Tobacco carries over to the silky elegance Margauxs are known for where other flavors of; dark chocolate, red fruit, and minerality take over. This had focus and perfect structure on a medium weight frame. This was crazy good for about 45 minutes then started shutting down in the glass becoming a little more tannic too. Didn't matter as every drop was pretty much gone by then. A wonderful wine with plenty of youth yet. Glad I held off till this was solidly 15yrs+ old. I'll try to wait till 2020 for my last btl and see where its at at age 20. My WOTN and little bit ahead of the lovely table companion '99 Chateau Margaux which was more reserved at this point.
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Two hour decant. Started off with an earthy nose, which moved to spice, tobacco and cedar. Still fairly primary, with black fruit, licorice and dusty tannins. Long finish. Will go another 10-15 years, but drinking great now after lots of air.
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Agree with the many favorable notes. Classic claret, ready to drink, still youthful. The two things I will add are 1) this wine made my wife sneeze. 2) On opening, for my palate, the nose was absolutely dominated by Asian 5-spice aroma, something I've sometimes read about but never perceived in a wine before. This blew off after a couple hours and a lot of fruit aromas showed through. Great wine. One thing that was amusing is that I opened this wine alongside a 1997 Clos de Tart Burgundy on my last night from my parents' house where my remaining great wines are stored across the country. Amusing to hear people who usually drink much less expensive wines express a clear preference for Grand Cru Burgundy to 2nd Growth Bordeaux. Can't say that I disagree though.
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This is a very thick Margaux with lots of power, structure, and the will to live much, much longer. The wine starts slightly tart, but with time, it grew, becoming denser and sweet enough to round off and surpass the acidity. Very fresh, will improve. Drink or Hold
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Really lovely concentrated nose with some flint but not a ton of secondary characteristics. Very posed with good acidity buffering the structure which is starting to recede. This will be really good in about 8-10 years I think.
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Wine Tasted at Acker Auction (Riverpark - New York, NY): Tasting, brief note. Black cherry and black currant with dark chocolate hints. Good background spice adding nuance, great overall balance and textures. This wine is great now and has been consistently at this quality level for 5+ years.
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Absurdly tight on open. I decanted 2 hours prior to dinner. 2 hours into dinner it really started to strut. Clean red fruit with a certain elegance and balance. Very good but needs a lot of air or time in the cellar.
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Lors de mon passage dans Bordeaux en 2012, j’ai eu la chance de visiter au moins 6 châteaux dans l’appellation Margaux dont ce prestigieux Château maintenant sous la direction générale de Thomas Duroux depuis 2004. Ce vin du millésime 99 est conçu sous le signe de l’élégance et la droiture du style de ce château. Un nez de truffe, de mûre, de tabac et subtilement florale constitue son bagage olfactive. La bouche est d’une élégance remarquable avec ses saveurs riches de cerises noires à maturité. Soyeux, généreux, le Palmer 99 est très harmonieux et pourra se conserver encore plusieurs années.
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Magnum bottle late Apr 2015: decanted; deep violet; cassis, cherry, caramel and chocolate bouquet; in the mouth black fruits; full body; smooth texture.
This wine tasted like a mixture of Numanthia, Hillside Select and LLC. But only with 12.5% alcohol!
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This beauty keeps getting better and better. With an hour of air, the nose popped, the wine softened and the elegance expected started to shine, leaving you with truffles, blackberries, tobacco and floral scents and a smooth, silky, fresh, sweet black cherry core of fruit. Perhaps my memory is fading, but this seems to be showing even younger than the past time I tasted it!
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Excellent wine. Decanted for one hour. Still young. Sensational nose, great mouth feel. Tobacco, mocha, leather, Asian spices, blueberry, plum. This wine has it all. Long Finish. This wine should easily last another decade, but it certainly was wonderful tonight.
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A private tasting and dinner (Bilthoven): Incredibly youthful and tannic, not in the least typical for Palmer or for Margaux, in fact a classic and tight Pauillac profile, energetic and long. Needs much more time, an amazing 1999 in many ways.
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Drank at Blanco's WH beach house, alongside 2000 Alter Ego, which I thought would be an interesting comparison. I've had this 99 before & my notes are basically consistent with my prior tasting. Dark ruby/purplish color with no signs of age yet. Nose predominantly of tobacco & espresso aromas. On the palate, somewhat jammy with a lot of dark fruit up front, some forest floor & earthy elements, but not a particularly complex wine. The fruit seems a bit on the green side (though not nearly as unripe as the Alter Ego) & I detected a slightly vegetal quality--though, again, not as much as with the Alter Ego. Otherwise, a fairly elegant, pleasant, easy-to-drink claret with a moderately long finish.Tannins are fairly well-resolved but I think the wine is as good as it will ever be right now, and should continue drinking as is for at least the next 3-5 years.
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Château Palmer vertical (Burg Layen, Nahe, Germany): Quite tannic and dry on the palate, little fruit. The tannins suggest that this will take forever to integrate and come into balance - if ever. Not a great success. On the other hand, when tasting through it, all the ingredients seem to be there.
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MNF Dinner at Tommy's (Vancouver, BC): Classic Bordeaux nose with blacker fruits and hints of bell pepper. Lighter but velvety on the palate with softer structure. This the second time Ive had this wine and I've really liked it both times. Approachable and very nice to drink now but there's probably more to come with a few more years. Excellent. 91+
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The 1999 has another dimension of inner sweetness, and Palmer clearly lucked out in being one of the very few properties to have only a few millimeters of rain while others were getting soaked. There is a lot of graphite, cassis, leather, tar, mocha, and violets on display in this ripe, concentrated, old-school wine, which still possess a remarkably unevolved red-black colour. Really impressive.
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Black currant, dark chocolate, espresso aromas with liqueur hints. Same currant flavors with plum and black raspberry. Very inviting in every way - aromas , flavors, textures and structure. Both fat and slightly lush, while still fresh and retaining energy and structure. A super impressive 1999.
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A mini Palmer vertical: 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".
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Roasted berries, forest floor, earth, truffle, blackberry and cherry pie scents get you excited about the wine. In the mouth, this is pure elegance, opulent textures and fresh, ripe black cherries. This is drinking great today and with time, it will get better. But there is no reason to wait to enjoy this beautiful expression of Palmer. This is one of the top wines of the vintage and sells for a very fair price, for a top vintage of Chateau Palmer.
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Has opened up nicely. Ready to drink. Rounded, lush red berries- strawberry and pomegranite. A touch of menthol and tar. A lovely Margaux- too bad the world also values this wine as prices have risen to near unaffordable levels.
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Nice deep ruby colour. Aromatics are nice with mix of tobacco, almost chocolate, and hints of jammy red fruits (strawberry). Great balance in the attack still a lot of tannins in the end (age should hopefully loosen that up?), nice acidity and red fruits (jammy strawberry). Really nice wine, but not opulent enough for the next level...
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To be fair, my friend didn't want to open and let it breath as I did the last bottle. So, during the three hours at dinner it opened beautifully but probably should have decanted as well. No specific notes, sorry. Good bottle of wine, however which I can recommend. I think the 2000 is considerably better.
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Drink on 17 Dec 2012 for celebration of our anniversary. Pour into a decanter, Deep ruby with legs, Medium intensity with red fruit, berry, leather, perfume, coffee, wet leave, medium to long finish. An excellent wine and can age for a few more years.
Will try again five years later.
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Medium to dark red color, no bricking. Nose predominantly of tobacco and coffee aromas. On the palate, sort of jammy with a lot of dark fruit up front, not a particularly complex or elegant wine, but a pleasant, easy-to-drink claret with a moderately long finish. Maybe it will tighten up over time and develop into more than it is today, but I doubt it. I think the wine is as good as it will ever be right now, and should continue drinking as is for at least the next 3-5 years.
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Chateau Palmer dinner: Much more approachable than the 2000. Nose is opened with spices, mushrooms and hints of blackberries. Palate is delightful with soft tannins and medium finish. Most silky and smooth wine thus far.
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Wow... 3 years goes by fast. My TN this time around after a short decant was nearly identical except for my textural descriptors which were a bit less flattering (firmer acids and tannins in relation to midpalate weight) than last time and my aromatic desciptors which seem to indicate a bit more tertiary development and complexity in flavor and aroma. Obviously well stored bottles of this will last for another decade or two, however I'm not convinced that the pluses one will get will offset any negatives to a significant degree and will error on drinking my last two bottles of this sooner rather than later in that time frame. Try again in 2-3 years.
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Drank at Stephanie's A blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot.
Classic luscious and beautiful Palmer that's drinking now. Nose of black berries, liquorice, vanilla and spice. Rich deep silky smooth taste with a long length. Yum Yum !
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France 2012 - Paris; 7/22/2012-7/23/2012 (Paris): Beautiful nose with Bordeaux funk, dark red fruits and a hint of greenish. Silky palate with fairly resolved tannins and a soft finished. Drinking extremely well right now but should continue to develop for another decade. Excellent. 92+
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Tobacco, coffee, caramel, black raspberry, floral, lead pencil and cherry blossoms create the perfume. Silky, soft, refined and elegant in personality, this medium bodied vintage of Palmer is ready to drink. There is a lot of purity in the fruit, coupled with freshness, but it lacks the density of a great vintage. I'm not sure this will make old bones. I'd drink this over the next decade, or a little bit longer.
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Definitive Margaux. A melange of perfumed red fruit, plum, earth, cassis, tobacco and freshly butchered meat. At least tonight, this wine embodies elegance. Velvety red fruited mid palate with some licorice root, deftly integrated and balanced front to back. Long, fine finish. No hurry here, but drinking great right now.
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Tobacco, earth, sweet red and balck berry fruit with a hint of baking spice. In the mouth this wine is still quite bright with fresh crunchy berry fruit, while being briney and earthy too... my first impression was how ripe the the flavour was while still retaining good acidity and balance. I struggle with the "expectation" of such a wine, and have to admit that the finish could have been longer and the impact more profound. The flavour profile, although being vast, did not seem to hit with enough intensity or endurance. If I ignore the price- a good enjoyable wine.
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Very disappointing-to me. Dark cherry red. Not much nose, mostly graphite and a hint of cassis. Total lack of fruit either from initial pour or over 2 more hours from later pours. Some pencil, leather and crushed stones on a slightly harsh palate. A lot of nice scores in CT for this wine, but if you read the notes, you wonder where they come from.
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A decent Palmer. Fragrant, but lacking the complexity of the great vintages. A few more years in the cellar should help. Significant upside potential, but will never be a '70, '83, or '89.
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Late Feb 2012, Chateau Palmer tasting at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival: bottle opened approx. 3 hours before tasting, bottle to bottle decanted (sommelier information); deep purple red color; red fruit, vanilla, bread, iodine and forest floor; decent tannins; medium body; satin-like, ethereal texture; medium finish. 91-92 points.
Still not fully developed. The 1999 Margaux has a chance to gain some more complexity over the next 5-10 years and add additional rating points.
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Drank at the Napa Men's Lunch Club. Still very young and primal. Nice red fruit on the nose with some tobacco starting to emerge. I have very limited experience with Bordeaux however this was simply a delicious wine but didn't have enough time to really focus on it.
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From 375. Youthful crimson disc, deep robe. Still quite immature; primary on the nose, dense, dark fruit. On opening, a fair amount of barnyard which blew off over the next few hours in the decanter to leave a nice mineral streak and some flowers with a distinctly cigar note. Good fruit on the palate, but still very tannic and a little raw on the finish.
7 hours into the decant a pure nose of dark fruit and violets. I think this will improve, but broaching a bottle before five years from now would just be a waste.
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Ch Palmer @ Medlar (The Medlar, London): Dense, very fragrant, violet fruit. Seems more modern than the others. Starting to soften though and far less of a brute than spring 2007's bottle. Dense and fleshy but very smooth across the atatck and the palate. A little simple, and short, on the finish but hopefully it will add complexity with age. **(**?)
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great bottle. nose had typical left bank aromas - tobacco, dark fruit. but the real winner was the body and finish. after 25-30 minutes of opening up in the glass, this wine really came to life. fantastic mouthful and very elegant, smooth, long finish. Def could age another 10 years. But showing very well and only regret was not decanting and giving it more time to open before consuming the first glass.
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Decanted. A bit closed initially, however opened up with time into a beautiful wine. Deep dark garnet color. Cassis, spice, with some floral elements in the nose. Rich, with big middle, quite balanced with soft tannins and a lot of dark fruits on the palate. Long satisfying finish. THis wine continues to improve. Long life ahead.
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Decanted in bottle for 1 hour, should ave used the decanter but the first glass felt so good that we thought we didn't need the decanter. But it gets better and better and before reaching its peak for the evening, we finnished the bottle! rating should be higher if we used the decanter. Youthful, vibrant, pleasant, can drink now but should be much better with time.
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Delicious but young. Sweet black fruit, cedar, tobacco and graphite. Very clean and focused. Medium body but still excellent persistance throughout. This should have been decanted but it was a last minute dinner selection.
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Bordeaux 2001 vs. Napa 2002 (Bordeaux blend)- Blind Tasting: 90- Muted nose, seemed to really be holding back. Palate-deep core of black fruit, black cherry but not easy to detect. Medium to heavy weight. textured and long finish with tannins noticeable. Second time we had this in a blind lineup and both times came across as closed (at least comparatively). guessed Palmer... (my #4, groups #5)
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Decanted for roughly 30 minutes. Still pretty damn dark in the glass which gave an indication of the youthfulness we were going to experience. Gorgeous Margaux aromas of sweet tobacco and cedar followed by intense graphite and cassis liqueur. Definitely full-bodied with freshness of power that was intriguing. Plenty of dark berry fruit set against still formidible tannins that glided past and tickled your tonsils and left you with a nice balance of tannin and sweetness on your tongue. I'm starting to get worried as my fondness for bordeaux grows. 92 pts.
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Drinking well with about 30 minutes air time. Dusty mushrooms and moist earth surrounded the dark fruit and cedar notes. Tannins still kicking but nice mouthfeel. Went very well with lamb stew. Lots of fruit but the secondary notes kept it interesting. Lots of life ahead.
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My first tasting of a Palmer. A lot more flavors of damp earth, mushroom and leather than I typically enjoy in a wine, but it was still evident that this was well made. Now I understand what is meant by a Palmer vintage though, so this was an educational bottle for me.
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Drank at Paul's. This is like popping a newly crafted fine French wine. It is really bold and the tannins are very much intact. While they have softened a bit, I'd hold one of these another 3-5 before trying it again. I think it will continue to improve.
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Fantastic showing, proof that profound wines can be made even in "lesser" vintages. Gorgeous nose, fruit, earth and depth - what more could you want? An '89 Clinet opened on its heels was a bit deeper and built for a longer haul, but tonight we preferred the younger Palmer.
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99 Palmer was described as "Mona Lisa Smile" in a famous Japanese comics. I guess one of the reason is because Palmer gives you a soft and smooth taste in the first sip, and it's charming and fascinating characteristics of a Margaux wine. It is mature to drink now and it has a deep plum, black berry and a light smell of vanilla spices on the nose. After taste is not strong and that is the only flaw that I notice in this wine.
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Clear, dark red color with a classic BDX nose. HUGE and extremely tight. Its mpossible to pick out individual flavors other than black fruits and spice. Acid level off the charts.
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No formal notes - This wine had a very good nose, with some hints of aging: dark fruit, leathery earthiness. Very good velvety start, and very good body, but the tannins are still very present in the finish. I like this very much in this stage, but I have no doubt it could be even better with some more aging. Outstanding, elegant wine.
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From a .375 and decanted for about 2,5 hours. This has an awesome nose that is dark and complex. In the mouth it is powerful, but extremely elegant. A lot of tannin still. This continues to be my clear favorite 1999 Bordeaux and a really impressive wine from that year. I had my first bottle of this wine a little over a year ago and then rated it 96 points. This time it perhaps had a slightly less impressive mouthfeel and length, but a great wine nonetheless.
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decanted for few hours. quite amazing indeed. others have already described nuances so I will just say that i perceive it slighlty more muscular than other wines of the appelation. still very youthfull, wont touch remaining bottles for 3 years at least
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Palmer Vertical with Thomas Duroux (La Plume, Jefferson Hotel, Washington DC): Tasted twice that evening from two different bottles. A second note will accompany this. The nose is closed offering little in terms of aroma. The wine has a great mouthfeel of supple berries and kirsch driven richness. It has a depth and precision that feels unique. Perhaps it is in a tight spot at the moment but when it blossoms it should be quite wonderful. Give it several hours to open, decanted a la bordelais pour 2-3 heure.
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A solid and very enjoyable bottle shared on Christmas. An odd bubblegum nose blew off in time and presented a tasty wine with good depth, even finish and smooth tannins; this is a wine to enjoy today or in the next 4-6 years. Not dense, chewy or powerful--it does show the character of the region and I would be happy to check back in another year.
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Dark color, red ruby rim, moderate + extraction. A very aromatic and floral wine with a very round and juicy core of blackcurrant, raspberry... nicely spiced with oak barrique notes... hints of cedar and coffee licorice with time in the glass. On the palate moderate acidity, a very lush and broad midpalate that transitions effortlessly into a very full, moderately tannic finish that is very ripe and well integrated. Balance is a little of the soft side, good length and complexity, very good intensity. Good finesse, texturally supple wine, good expression of place. For me this wine is pretty close to its peak though I think there is some more complexity to tease out of this thing (perhaps at the expense of some freshness to the fruit that is the driving force for this wine)... great 99, very good Palmer for its style which is polished and lush.
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Beautiful nose of crushed violets, minerals, and dark fruit. Tannins are softening. Saddle leather, vanilla, and oak dominate the palate. Long finish. Very good +.
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this wine seems to be bulletproof. very interesting to taste the night after having gone thru such a wide array of the 99s, including most of the first growths. this only lacked ultimate complexity, and might have been a touch closed. not decanted, and followed in the glass for about 2 hours. a little sweaty on the nose (per jane more than me), a hint of leather, but still dominated by some friendly forward leaning fruit. a wine in transition, but sailing along nicely.
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Opened for our 10th anniversary, this wine showed great promise for the future, but didn't deliver as much as expected in the present. Somewhat dumb aromatics with just hints of floral essence. Loads of very lively and youthful fruit, but not much nuance or development yet. Given the vintage, I thought this might be a bit more advanced. Outshined tonight by the 99 Pape-Clement. I expect the tables will be decidedly turned in a few years.
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Decanted 3 hours. Youthful purple with the slightest rim of brown. Nose of currants, dark fruit, coffee and a hint of cedar. Still more primary at this point, with berries and chocolate on the palate, with lots of tannin. Long finish. This one's going to be great.
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LdC Palmer vs. Margaux Dinner (Primehouse): Big nose of vanilla and black fruit - very nice and interesting. Big vanilla sweet blackberry palate wtih a medium/long coffee finish. Plenty of oak here and almost a new world flair - a good value in a forgotten vintage.
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I tasted this a few years ago, thought it was terrific, and bought a case. We opened the first bottle last night to drink with beef tenderloin for New Year's Eve. I decanted for about two hours and then poured back into the bottle. VERY impressive. Not quite ten years old, a baby, but very approachable now. Beautiful, dark, inky color. Lots of flowers with oak and cassis on the nose. Dark fruit and licorice dominated the palate with tar, oak and leather nuances. The tannins were sweet and gripping. Chewy, creamy mouth feel. Moderately long finish. Everything is a bit primary right now, but drinking this was still a great experience. A New-World-leaning but still classic Margaux. I can't wait to try another in a few years!
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Classic Palmer. Great Margaux nose, heavy with black current. Earthy and dusty with black coffee, fruit, spices and licorice. Well balanced, tannins will take this one for a long time. Decanted for 1-2 hours.
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Palmer 99 lives up it. Best since 1961. Fantastic nose with black currant, licorice and minerals. Classic Margaux nose. Extremely full rounded palate with great finesse. Reminds me of the 2005 - yes, that young. Simply infanticide here. This wine will outlive the Cheval Blanc 99. Certainly a great contender to 2000 and 2005 to become the greatest Palmer produced in this era.
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(Note from second day.) Meat, black coffee, black fruit, spices, liquorice, a lot of material, still young but already accessible with some prior breathing, good overall balance.
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Magnificent this garden of voilets has stature and elegance. Blackberry and blueberry tied together with licorice give this high percentage of merlot wine a wonderful finish.
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Poured into the decanter, but started drinking right away. It got better with some air, so an hour or so decant probably would have been better.
The amount of tannins present seem to indicate this will continue to improve with more bottle age. It is great now, though. The best way I can describe it is "pretty." With some air it had a really pretty violet note in the bouquet.
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Opaque, a bit of age. Fruity, a little vegetal underneath, lovely welcoming bouquet, very youthful. Luscious with strong tannins, smooth, classy, complex, moreish, great length.
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Margaux vs. Palmer Dinner, served in single blind flights (Primehouse - Chicago IL): Single blind 95/99 Margaux/Palmer flight. Black fruit and blast of spice on the nose. Lots of black fruit on palate, presently framed nicely by some noticeable oak, but getting close to refined integration. Good fruit, espresso and spice on long finish.
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Tried at the store. That that this was coming along nicely. very well structured with a nice finish and good nose. The glass I tried I think had been sitting a little long after decanting, so I attributed the little flatness I got to that. Still, very enjoyable.
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Holy crap was this goood...Popped and poured and decanted the rest over 4 hours...fragrant, dance in the mouth feel...Structured, textured and well balanced with great fruit and healthy tannins a finish that went forever...This wine is getting better...Drink next in 3 years
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what an incredible nose. smoky, floral, cigar, dark fruits, pencil lead tobacco, chocolate. by far the best nose of the night. cherry mouth with a little tartness, but nice finish with some coffee and blueberry. I was a little disappointed in the mouth but I'm not sure if that was as compared to the nose or the Lafite.
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Blackcurrant and violet nose that has incredible freshness and depth. Without even trying this wine I knew it would be special. Blackberries, chocolate and pencil lead on the palate. Quite feminine compared to the 1996 Lafite. Pretty, complex finish. Everything you want from Bordeaux.
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A beautiful bottle of young, but very drinkable, Bordeaux. Complex, lovely, floral and earth nose indicative of a great Margaux. Bigger fruit on the attack than even anticipated - many other 99s did not achieve anywhere near this level of fruit concentration - had this been served blind, I might have guessed 96 or 2000. Smooth, medium-bodied finesse on the mid-palate, and a solid finish. Very nice now, and sure to drink well for at least the next 15-20 years.
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A highlight from a (mostly young) Palmer vertical, wish I could find the rest of my notes. Black currant, black cherry with excellent dark chocolate and espresso in support. Great overall balance and elegance, this is really showing well now with big potential for the next 20+ years.
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Sensual mouth feel, just lovely. The wine still had a gorgeous purple color to it. The taste was full of sweetness, notes of chocolate. It was not as sweet at the 2004 though. Absolutely exceptional. This wine caused quite a bit of excitement among the group. My WOTD hands down.
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Brighton Palmer Offline (Seven Dials Restaurant, Brighton): Double decanted 4 hours before tasting. Promising nose. Slightly creamy. Grippy. Fruity. Hmm, seems to lack a bit of class in the company. Chewy, signs of being a shortish new world fruit bomb.. 5 hours after double decanting this is starting to calm down, and 6 hours later this is becoming a pleasant drink. Way too young, but I guess the potential is there. 24hr later this is very smooth, balanced and structured and very classy. Lovely wine but now closed down and needing quite a bit of bottle age to take for its Palmer elegance and breeding to show well.
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Chateau Palmer Dinner, Dallas, TX (Lavendou Bistro Provencal): Had this alongside the 2000 Château Palmer. Initially, the 1999 had more dusty aromas and was more acidic, but opened up over time and seemed to arrive at an optimum drinking stage faster than the 2000. But, overall, the 2000 was deeper and exhibited more refined and polished flavors than the 1999; however, with that said, the 1999 was showing very nicely and reminds me that I need to look into more 1999 Left Bank Bordeaux. 90-94
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Blackberries, boysenberries, coffee and cassis are only a harbinger of things to come. Very classy, stylish, sophisticated and elegant. Great concentration and balance. Still young. 99 will drink well early, but this is not close to maturity
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This isn't the 99 Palmer I remember. Either this bottle was very slightly corked, or the wine has shut down in a serious way. At first, it was only giving tannin. After several hours, it started to open up, but never to the point that it resembled the lovely bottle I had about a year ago. (After five hours it resembled the 98 Mouton, not a Palmer.) We have one more bottle, and I'll be sitting on it as long as possible.
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Vertical Tasting Wow This is going to be a powerhouse Strong Tannins but what a mouthfull of dark fruit flavours While the 1998 is softer and ready to drink now, this 1999 can easily hold for another five to ten years and still not hit the peak Very impressive but still a joy to consume early
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Dark and brooding. Black currants, cassis, smoke and a hint of earth at the back end. Backward and tannic, but concentrated - the fruit has receded since the last time I opened one. Excellent potential. No touchy for 5-7 years!!
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Deep purple color, notes of graphite and fruit. Very tannic, closed down. After 24 hours, it had opened up a little to reveal more fruit, good grip and a long finish. But this is definitely one to leave for another five years at least.
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After reading the other notes that this may be closing down, I decanted for 3 hours. Still it was not the complex beauty that was described from last year's notes. It was, however, enormously pleasurable with graphite, stone and deep backberrry and cassis fruit in a solid core aroma. Palate is a bit tightly wound and finishes with great length. It's probably best to let this one rest for a few years at this point as it seems packed to explode into something wonderful the way that the '83 and '89 Palmer did.
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Bon Voyage Jeff Cassetta (Some Palmers & Etc.) (Fringale Restaurant, San Francisco): A deep opaque and purple/red color advertises the youth of this wine. The nose was open for business showing graphite and lead with sweet fruit and -- perhaps -- a touch of alcohol. While it still tastes like Bordeaux, it is remarkable how modern and global-style this wine tastes, with low acidity, and lots of ripe fruit (in 1999?). The palate is quite ingratiating with a medium-full body, chewiness and rich tastes of bittersweet chocolate -- though there isn't a lot of complexity. The finish was long and showed still firm tannins. As the wine aged in the glass, the fruit receded and the tannins remained (ah, more like a 1999). This is very good wine, but it seems atypical for Bordeaux. I wonder how well it will age?
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I was more impressed by my previous half-bottle, so perhaps this is beginning to shut down a bit. Less giving on the nose this time compared to the aromatic fireworks I experienced before, it nevertheless retains the same sexy flavor profile and plush texture. Note to self: lay the other bottles away for a long time to come.
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Dinner at home with Suzi, Mom and Bob. The moment I popped the cork I was blown away by the expressive nose on this wine. Asian spices, cedar, flowers, and pain grille literally explode from the glass and decanter. Wow! The texture on this is remarkably silky and lush, a detail I rarely comment on with Bordeaux. So much glycerin, it just coats your palate in a stunning way, wow! This is such a plush and sexy wine, yet the backbone is also evident. On the palate this was initially quite tannic, but with just 15 minutes in the glass it started to round out and show much more depth and approachability. The finish on this is unbelievably long. It wasn't as sweet as I expected from reading tasting notes, instead showing more minerality and a background of fruit. It seems a little closed, but that is to be expected. Still, this is crazily stunning stuff with aromatics so beautiful they make you want to weep. Wow!
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This is outrageously delicious - I can pretty safely say this is my favorite young Bordeaux yet. My bottle might be a hair more evolved than some because it is a 375mL ... but I'm sure it's great from any format even now. The mind-blowing nose includes super-sweet cassis fruit, flowers, and caramel, while the flavors cascading over the tongue have me too senseless with pleasure to analyze them. I will undoubtedly drink my other half-bottle soon, but I have to make sure I lay off my six other bottles and my magnum - this will be stupendous in maturity.
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Portfolio Ref # BDX G2 Setting: Study Group / Bests at Paul Farrell's Appearance: bright, dark ruby core, narrow purple rim, viscous Nose: creme caramel, buttered popcorn, heady, evident fruit Palate: dry, oaky with dense dark fruits - plums, blueberry and slight cassis notes, drying tannins, full bodied with a very long finish, very well balanced Comments: 12.5%, lush and round with intense caramel notes, a solid wine
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Tasted blind at Vintage Wines, Ltd. (bottle from cellar of Ken Johnson). Opaque purple with ruby rim. Intense, beautiful nose showing predominant coffee, plum, earth and black cherry. Medium to full-bodied, with ample but very supple tannins. Similar flavors as nose. Long, smooth finish. I incorrectly guessed this wine to be a 1998 right bank Bordeaux. It is impressive for a 1999, likely due to the high percentage of Merlot and the careful selection.
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3/4/2024 - alamoave Likes this wine: 95 Points
PS to my prior tasting note. There was a leftover glass on Day 1, which I covered and refrigerated. I just finished it on Day 3 and it was sublime. So there’s more longevity than indicated in my prior tasting note. Added a point to my score.
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3/2/2024 - alamoave Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking perfectly with classic Margaux florals. Could be WOTV. Finish goes on and on. Drink now.
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2/1/2024 - chbeaumont wrote: 94 Points
Retains plenty of colour, deep; fragrant, elegant, some red fruits remain; deft palate, lovely weight, real depth, integrated; genteel, extended finish. Classical
& classy, aristocratic even. This will provide pleasure for 10+ years, easily. (12.5%).
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1/20/2024 - Rani Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted blind. Notes of allspice, cloves, blackcurrant. Cedar, black fruit and mint on the palate, fine but persistent tannins, feels young compared to the 1999 LMHB that was drunk next to it.
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12/19/2023 - Vinterest Angus Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pnp. A gorgeous wine straight out of the gate, with all the classic aroma and flavour you would expect from a very good vintage of Palmer. clearly nearing end of its prime window though and it is probably a good thing the bottle didnt last more than about 45 mins in our glasses. will look to younger vintages (01/04?) for slightly better value Palmer to drink now I think.
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12/16/2023 - PDavisMarble wrote: 91 Points
After a decant, this showed nicely from the outset. However, it couldn't stand up to either time or food. It was disappointing in how it came apart and faded, disippating to not much at all after an hour.
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12/16/2023 - englishman's claret wrote:
The '99s have by and large proven pretty, characterful, appealing wines, yet many are seeming to fray a bit at the edges, losing some definition and vivacity. This example of the 1999 Palmer is in keeping with that, the black cherry and violet presence this once sported so clearly coming across as a bit smudged tonight.
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12/15/2023 - chablis28 wrote: 95 Points
Dinner with Jim & Michelene at our place. An awesome flight with Jim's '83 Lynch Bage and Nita's perfect cast iron 8oz filets! My last of 2 btls. This concerned me a bit upon opening in the afternoon as the nose hinted it might be a tad tired but with a 2-1/2 decant and back in the btl for with the cork out for a few hours this found firm footing and was delightful tonight. Quite pretty and Margaux feminine to Jim's bolder '83 Lynch. This elegant and sexy and at peak. If you own one I'd drink up when convenient but within the next couple of years max.
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10/28/2023 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Whilst this had such a shy nose despite a full 1 hour decant, and 3 hours bottle breathe, I liked the cedar and cassis palate.
Acidity medium+ with very fine silky tannins, and truffles too. After more hours, nuanced aromatics of herbs then graphite and pencil lead opened up.
Medium to full body. 48% Cab, 46% Merlot, 6% PV.
Theme at Chef RNs home party was Great GCC Bordeauxs,so I decided to bring this bottle I had procured only a year ago from a Swiss broker. It was a nice side by side with RNs incredible Palmer 1982... which really blew my bottle away.
In 2020, Decanter described that whilst this wine should be good for 2025 to even 2030, it's not one for longer aging.
About 50% of all grapes made it to this Grand Vin in what was a rather difficult 1999 vintage. This wine is from the era of Philippe Delfaut.
Pity the sumptuous bouquet described by Vinous and Wine Advocate in their reviews over the past 5 years was not there in my bottle.. and I did check each 1 hour as I prepped this Palmer 1999.
I have to say I found this "wine of the vintage" rather unremarkable, but I think that could have been attributed to some bottle variation.
Had great advice from Hangi as well as Mark1NPT (CellarTracker) on the prep, and expectations.. and on this occasion it just didn't show. Cork was in good condition, only 3 mm soaked and the durand took care of the opening in a very clinical way.
Home of RN, joined by his missus M, DQ and BL, LMC, as well as L
Rainy night.. Outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
28 Oct 2023
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10/15/2023 - kim@meko.ru Likes this wine: 95 Points
Restrained at opening, the wine blossomed after 2 hours of air.
Complex, elegant and refreshing with floral note, dark fruits, chocolate, creaminess and some menthol. Very fine tannins. Very enjoyable now and still has enough acidity to cellar it for another 10 years.
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10/8/2023 - WestfalenGG wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful, complex nose and certainly in the drinking window. A bit thin on the palate, though.
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9/29/2023 - R Z Likes this wine: 96 Points
Blueberry, black currant, ripe Italian prune plums, developed and mature, very dark in the glass but no tannins or heaviness on the palate, refreshing, luxurious, elegant finish, brilliant from the first pour to the last. 48% cab sauv, 46% merlot, 6% petit verdot. Purchased a single bottle on release, stored in temperature controlled storage. Did not decant. Paired with traditional French cuisine (pate en croute w foie gras, roast chicken, haricort verts, pommes frites, pistachio soufflé) at Benoit NY for my 65th birthday dinner.
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8/1/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
Ornellaia Dinner (Stefani Prime - Lincolnwood IL): Served just after the 82 and 62, this was popped-and-poured. This always exceeds tasters' expectations and didn't disappoint tonight. Black current and cherry with chocolate and faint meat notes. Excellent balance and depth. So tasty right now.
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6/13/2023 - ove_stammrud wrote:
En sky av bringebær, solbær og frukttobakk kommer opp fra glasset. Vinen er strålende parfymert, elegant som en burgunder på nese og med fuktig munnfølelse mot krydder, skogbunn og sødmefull frukt i munn.
Fortsatt endel robusthet i denne vinen til videre lagring, men gir også veldig mye glede nå.
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5/17/2023 - Vinumming & Ahhing Likes this wine: 96 Points
Amazing Bordeaux To Mark A Special Birthday (Noizé, London): Wow. Nose has a lovely florality to it, a carnation button hole? Some smoky raspberry too, a little torn mint leaf and later some rosebed. Palate is one of the best showings of any wine in the line-up. Multi-layered beautifully resolved tannins, so well balanced and texturally gorgeous. My third favourite wine of the night.
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5/15/2023 - hargy Likes this wine: 90 Points
this has a lovely balance to it but is very closed - it needs time and lots of it - should be lovely in five years plus
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4/21/2023 - melzar wrote: 92 Points
I am continually amazed at how long Bordeaux must be aged. This wine is good now, but has years ahead.'59 and '61 greats are still drinking well. Only '85 has tasted good from birth, and has experienced no dumb phase. This wine has plenty of tannin and fruit along with adequate acidity. Drink or hold (if you expect to live a while).
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3/29/2023 - BerkeleyBoy wrote: flawed
Oxidized - flat and bitter. Totally dead. $242 at K & L auction. Have another bottle.
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3/11/2023 - 911henrik wrote: 93 Points
Very delicate and well balanced. Drink up now. Will not improve.
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3/8/2023 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
For myself undoubtedly wine of the vintage, and the best Palmer from the 1990s. It is quintessentially Palmer with a delicate nose and with a lightness of touch on the palate with red berry fruits and floral notes. However, the depth and complexity is worthy of a first growth wine. Likewise the finish is lengthy and impeccable. A note of caution at this stage of its life this needs at least 3 hours in an open decanter.
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12/25/2022 - rlove wrote: flawed
Dumbed by an unappealing Brettiness.
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11/21/2022 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Wine Workshop: Chateau Palmer (Benoit): Being contrarian I'm going to say this was my favorite of the flight but a lot of that was because it's the most ready to drink right now (the other two would still benefit from age). This isn't going anywhere but I'm not sure it's getting significantly better either. Dark fruits with nice balance. Less vibrancy than '01 and '02 but more secondary which was good. Drinking nicely.
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11/14/2022 - jondrinkswine Likes this wine: 94 Points
The bottle was in pristine condition and the cork appeared brand new. On opening, the wine was acidic and underweight, begging for air. It gained some weight with time, and I started sipping on it around hour 4. Beguiling aromas and flavors with black plums and black cherries accentuated by licorice, cloves, earth, leather, smoke, cocoa powder, espresso and mushroom. Plenty of structure remains to continue aging with elevated acid and plenty of tannin left which came across as a bit sharp. The finish is long and super spicy. Suddenly with my last glass at the 8 hour mark, the wine hit another gear. The fruit gained weight melding with all the tertiary notes, a dusting of green herbs emerged, the tannins softened, and the acidity integrated into the fruit. Lesson learned – next time, I’m decanting 8-12 hours!
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10/2/2022 - Mr T wrote:
I was not moved
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9/17/2022 - burgburgburg wrote: 92 Points
Allowed 2 hours of slow-ox. Elegant, good fineness, yet with a very formidable structure. A very balanced bottle. Still a decade of life ahead but is ready to please anyone now.
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8/22/2022 - hkbob Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow, what a nose. Distinctly Palmer. Sous-bois, pressed summer flowers, truffles, tobacco and deli meats. Lithe palate with good freshness despite its 23 years. Everything in perfect harmony although there are some tannins yet to be resolved. Medium-bodied and more on the feminine side. Based on this bottle, another 5-10 years of prime drinking ahead. Wonderful.
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6/17/2022 - melvinyeowq wrote: 95 Points
Dinner at Noize: Well what I can say, one of my WOTYs last year and an absolute pleasure to have it again. Similar impressions to before but this bottle was less seductive on the nose and the tannins were a little rougher, but still such a complete wine that would win over any Bordeaux sceptic.
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6/17/2022 - NickA Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dinner with Melvin (Noize): I just loved the nose of this wine, and as I write these notes 24 hours later it's that single attribute of the night's wines that I remember most fondly. Greenish, minty Cabernet notes on the nose, and plenty of tertiary development: truffle, beef blood, smoke. Still the vestige of tannin; actually more evident than in the 2010 alongside it, or perhaps that reflects more sophisticated winemaking 11 years later than the vintage itself. Medium-bodied and refreshing, concentrated dark berry fruit and some spice. Beautifully integrated and frankly delicious.
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4/16/2022 - alamoave Likes this wine: 95 Points
If there is a better wine from this vintage, I would love to know what it is. Pavie and Lafite in the running but I think this is better. Double decanted four hours before dinner. Wonderful Margaux florals. Violets and lavender. Bold, distinctive fruit with currant and plum. Perfectly integrated firm tannins. Drink or hold. Outstanding.
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4/1/2022 - Montesquieu Likes this wine: 95 Points
Ch. Palmer dinner with winemaker Thomas Duroux (Jeffrey's, Austin, TX): Terrific. My #4 of 5 Palmer vintages on the night. Drinking great but with even better days ahead, if you can wait. Cab Sauv shined this vintage, according to winemaker Thomas Duraux.
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3/15/2022 - melzar wrote: 92 Points
Black olive notes on the nose suggest age. Tannic bite on the palate suggests that this wine has not yet peaked. How long must we live to appreciate our Bordeaux at peak? I'm grateful to have cellared many '85's ; my current go to Bordeaux for drinking today. Give this one a few more years, and you will be rewarded.
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2/15/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
Drinking at just about peak, the wine is intensely floral, with notes of roses, lilacs, and lavender. From there you find cigar box, tobacco, dark cherry, currant, and boysenberry, with a light touch of cocoa in the background. Popped and poured, the wine is silky, soft, lush, fresh, and spicy, with lift, freshness, and sweet, ripe, red fruits with peppery overtones on the backend.
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1/29/2022 - soyhead wrote:
tasted but in no shape to render an opinion. a bit of a sad waste.
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12/1/2021 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
For myself this is the wine of the vintage and is probably the best Palmer from the 1990s. It unmistakably wears its badge on its sleeve with a deeply aromatic nose of dark berry fruits and floral notes primarily of violet. There is still some lightness mid palate but it is gaining more and more depth with each passing year. The finish is excellent and pushes 60 seconds. This undoubtedly will continue to evolve and improve over the next few years, but with a few hours in the decanter it's hard to resist this now. 96+
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12/1/2021 - melvinyeowq Likes this wine:
Belated birthday dinner: Decided to splurge on this as a birthday wine after tasting the magnificent 2005, wasn't disappointed. Perfect cork. Dark ruby red that made the wine appear very young, very sexy wine. Ripe red fruits that tasted a little modern, sensual and refined tannins but not overdone. Can see why some people guessed Italian on this. A sublime finish confirmed this as a blockbuster of a wine. Wish I had more.
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11/28/2021 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Subtle on the nose. Black cherry, cassis, and some blue fruit as well. A touch of earth and oak, but overall fairly quiet on the nose upon opening.
In the mouth, it’s medium body, with moderate plus acidity and medium plus tannin. More bright red fruit comes out on the palate.
This is bright and taught at the moment. I think some more bottle age would do this well. The tannin on the finish lingers and it’s overall a more elegant style of Bordeaux. I’d give this another 5 years before trying again.
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11/14/2021 - docdavid Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great nose. Decanted for 1 hour. Cassis Fred cherry vanilla. Great with lamb. Should go at least am
Not her 5-10 years
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9/10/2021 - Myownscale wrote: 90 Points
Nose:
a little hot, some fruit, wood, funk
Palate:
cassis, cherry, tannic, great wood, parkerized, huge fruity finish, yummy
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9/4/2021 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 94 Points
Party at YB's Pine Close. Tasted blind. Drank in Grassl 1855.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose pronounced intensity, with aromas of cheesy earth, blackcurrant, blackberries, black plums, tobacco, ripe bell peppers. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol (12.5%), resolved high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of blackcurrant, blackberries, black plums, tobacco, cheesy earth, some floral + oak spices. Very long finish.
Very good quality. I was guessing late 90s Left Bank Bordeaux. Still rather fruity and going strong. Love the cheesy earthy element. Bravo for 12.5% alcohol.
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8/11/2021 - alamoave Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outstanding. Hitting on all cylinders with bright red fruits and vibrant tannins and acidity. Best ‘99 I have had. Decanted for 90 minutes. Why can’t there be more fantastic wines like this with 12.5% alcohol?
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1/21/2021 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
Tasted regularly, this has been in its drinking window for the last couple of years, but it still benefits from extended decanting. For myself this is the wine of the vintage and out scoring the first growths, and along with the 2000 vintage the best since the legendary 1983. It is still in development, but is already showing secondary notes and will undoubtedly continue to improve. The nose is opulent with dark berry fruits and plum with floral hints primarily of violet. It is still a little green mid palate, but it does not detract. The depth and balance are impeccable, and the finish pushes 60 seconds. This should be worthy of another couple of points in a few years.
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1/3/2021 - Jerseyjudge Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened about an hour in advance. No decant. My second of 4 bottles bought in 2002 at a glorified convenience store (sitting upright/good price). I drank the first bottle around 2010, and it was completely closed, all tannins. Great turnaround with this bottle. Always a good sign when popping the cork and a bouquet of violets fills the room. Despite that, the subsequent nose was classic but not exuberant. Strong mid-palate with depth. Very enjoyable and stood up well with rack of lamb. Plenty of structure and would think it has many years (decades?) of drinkability. It’s definitely in a good place now though.
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12/30/2020 - Wardyn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smoky and intoxicating fresh cassis, blueberries, violet floral, menthol, tobacco, and graphite with a slight barnyard tone. Elegant, refined, harmonious yet expressive medium bodied flavors of blueberry fruit with a hint of savory barnyard, graphite, leather and spices. Very fine tannin and great length here. A wine that will put a smile on your face even in the toughest times.
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12/10/2020 - kcp Likes this wine: 94 Points
A lovely, balanced, integrated, deeply fruited wine.
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10/30/2020 - beatles wrote: 94 Points
Very young stil. Rich, balanced, vertical, has some edge. Shows mint, blackcurrant, keeps everything tight at the moment - wait for this. 94+
#IB#Palmer1961-night
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10/25/2020 - Albert Wong Likes this wine: 97 Points
Drank this bottle over 2 nights because it wouldn't open up on the first night.
NOSE
Intensity: Medium+ to pronounced
-1ST NIGHT
Initial scent of flowers, perfume, tar, super strong cured meat smell, fruity smell
After 7 hours in: eucalyptus, chocolate
-2ND NIGHT
nutty, mint, eucalyptus, hint of cigar, red cherries, cedarwood, licorice
PALATE
Body: medium+ to full
Acidity: medium+
Intensity: medium+ to pronounced
-1ST NIGHT
Tar, tobacco, cured meat, cherries, red fruits
Felt really closed
-2ND NIGHT
Cigar, tobacco, Brands Chicken Essence, meaty aftertaste
tiny bit of lead and pencil shavings, licorice, quite strong eucalyptus, black tea aftertaste, plum
red cherries aftertaste
Seems like every sip I took, I found something new
TEXTURE
Tannins: high
Really thick, chewy tannins. But smooth. Much rounder and more comfortable on second night.
BALANCE
Tannins heavy are a bit too much for my liking, a bit distracting. But at this point, I am nitpicking. Other than that, the overall balance is good.
COMPLEXITY
Incredible! See nose and palate notes
FINISH
Length: Long
The aftertaste changed throughout the 2nd night. See palate notes.
CONCLUSION
Readiness: Drink now, but still has many years ahead of it. Loads of potential.
Really need a long decant before the wine starts becoming expressive.
It was super enjoyable. One of my favourite wines.
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10/17/2020 - Mchiarot Likes this wine: 95 Points
In its sweet spot now, tannins are smooth, and so beautifully integrated. Complexity is there, length is medium to long. A beautiful wine
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10/11/2020 - Wine Canuck wrote: 90 Points
[Tasted Blind] Pours medium to dark ruby. No bricking. The nose isn't terribly complex. Quite a lot of new oak that is only somewhat integrated. This wafts plum, sawdust, dark roast coffee grounds, and fresh split pine. The palate features ripe, plummy fruit that I enjoy but quote a lot of woody tannin on the finish. It's clear that despite having a lot of new wood this is integrating and maturing. I guessed a cooler vintage Cab/Merlot from Bordeaux, or a warmer vintage in Niagara. A decent quality wine. On reveal I was shocked to see it was Palmer. Definitely a disappointment given the pedigree. This is is 89-90, and I'd like it more at $20 - $40.
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10/6/2020 - dnnk88 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine Night Commanderie @ GWC!: Really nice from the start - black fruits, violets, boysenberry, slight smoke and black tea notes. Nice warm finish. When this was revealed as a Palmer '99, a few of us were very surprised as this was our 3rd try this year and the best IMO. So fresh and vibrant, and nicely matured and in its prime. Fine tannins which brought out the flavours and complexity. One of my top 3 reds for the night and I would even call this my red WOTN due to the positive surprise! 94/95
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10/6/2020 - Collector1855 wrote: 95 Points
During a Bordeaux tasting dinner. Medium-dark garnet, fantastic nose here, mature and balanced with forest floor, sweet spices, earth and pine tree. A grand Wine.
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10/3/2020 - dnnk88 Likes this wine: 93 Points
CC Bday Wine Dinner 2020!: See previous notes. Enjoyed this a lot again tonight but I would give this more time.
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8/15/2020 - dnnk88 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wine Night @ Imperial Great World City!: Linear, precise and structured. Fine tannins. Slightly tight so this needs some time to air. This should drink well for a long time so no rush. 93/94
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4/30/2020 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
For myself this is the wine of the vintage, and pre millennial only surpassed by the 1983 and I would assume the 1961(having never had the privilege of tasting). This is definitely ready to go, but has many years ahead of it. It really needs a few hours in the decanter. The nose is deep with ripe fruit with blackcurrant and red cherry prominent, with subtle hints of vanilla and a floral blast, primarily violet. The tannin is still in the process of sweetening, but the complexity on the palate is exceptional, and likewise the finish is pushing 60 seconds and perfectly balanced. Give this another year or two and I can see myself scoring this another couple of points higher. 96+
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4/13/2020 - Frank Schneider wrote: 95 Points
A point ! Gave it 2 h of decanting and found a wunderful bordeaux with all the earthy stuff. Very round with enough fine tannin left to balance . This is a more silent one. Not the big punch in the face. Slightly burgundian. Lovely. No hurry
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4/5/2020 - Les Kangas wrote: 95 Points
At its peak or past. Decanted 1 hour before dinner and it was marvelous and was fading an hour later. Maybe decant 1/2 hour early, depending on number of people consuming. Reidel Bordeaux glasses.
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2/19/2020 - amrain01 wrote:
Just okay. Took forever to open up
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2/6/2020 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine: 94 Points
3rd of three bottles, and another great bottle. Initially tighter than the other two, but decanting at dinner helped open it up. Beautiful floral notes on the nose and lovely fruit. I can't imagine any better Bordeaux from '99.
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12/26/2019 - Timber@dk.ibm.com wrote:
- Medium forming legs - Error
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12/16/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 93 Points
No so impressive initially, a bit lean and meager, the 1999 vintage coming through. improved as it sat in the glass with more forest aromas and sweet spices emerging. Nice, but definitely not in the Chateau Palmer hall of fame.
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12/14/2019 - englishman's claret wrote:
Two bottles opened, one quite flat and quiet on the nose though cedary and violet-tinged palate (89). The second more expressive on the nose with typical Palmer floral notes though not nearly with the depth, focus, or sophistication of a bottle opened several months back from a different source (91). A bad batch?
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12/1/2019 - BROpus One Likes this wine: 94 Points
The signature Margaux notes (particularly the earthy nose) were a bit softer here than I was expecting but I found this wine very enjoyable. Drinking really nice right now. Open one if you have it.
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11/28/2019 - JJYoyo Likes this wine:
Not rating this since the purpose of this note is more a warning about proper serving rather than the merits of the wine. Prior tasting note was based off 375 and properly chambered and aired. This was out of magnum and due to circumstances could not be chambered for more than an hour and also given 1 hr of air. This hid a lot of the more refined and complex notes of the earlier half bottle. If ever one needed a reminder that high sediment wines, like this one, need time to settle and also decanting, this wine provides it. Still a fabulous wine but with sour edges that were absent from the earlier experience and missing that extra edge of fabulousness that you will get if you treat it nicely.
Score was 95 earlier, FYI. Still think it deserves it.
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11/11/2019 - Joealex Likes this wine: 93 Points
Classic mature old school styled Bdx. Completly different than modern style present in today BDX wines. Strong maybe even tough structure, long dry aftertaste. Elegant with medium body. There is not any trace of sweetness , only sour and dry personality. Only for true lovers of old style Pauillac wines based on cabernet sauvignon. Very suprising showing for wine from Margaux appelation and almost 50% proportion of merlot grapes in final blend. It is obviously not fleshy. More intelectual than hedonistic wine.
I recomend long decanting as last sip ( on second day) tasted the best!
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11/5/2019 - Stanrocks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bordeaux for once :) (Friend’s place): Blind, Alltogether those wines were so good and on such the same level and yet all so different, great to have them like that...loved the idea of the tasting, nose is slightly évolutif, discret, gamy, pencil, dried meat, intense, the plate is juicy, and fresh, good, a bit shorter than the Mouton, nice fat and dark ripe fruits, as a matter I thought it’d be the Mouton, and it was the Margaux.... man that is just so difficult, we never taste those hugely priced babies... Good Wine...
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11/2/2019 - mkribar Likes this wine: 95 Points
Grand Bordeaux tasting at K&L: Tawny red fruit on the nose. Dried cherries. Dates. Cocoa powder. Tobacco and leather.
On the palate, the tannins are mostly resolved, and this is definitely the most tertiary wine of the evening. Leather. Cocoa dusted cherries. Dried fruit. Anise. Earth. Sandalwood. Cedar. Excellent bottle of classic Bordeaux in the prime of its drinking window.
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11/2/2019 - Somm David T Likes this wine: 93 Points
The nose reveals, ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. Touch cooked green bell pepper, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers.
The body is just full. The tannins are soft, round, chewy and tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance are pretty good for 99. ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. more cooked green bell pepper on the palate, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers. The acidy is nice. The finish is elegant, well balanced but, not as rich as other good vintages Palmer. It is spicy and persists minutes on the palate.
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10/26/2019 - jjwala wrote: 91 Points
can still keep it as I felt it has not reached its potential.
good drinking wine.
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9/22/2019 - hajoha wrote:
Brukbar, men levde ikke helt opp til forventningene.
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8/18/2019 - Paul D wrote: 93 Points
1/3, excellent cork, decanted 1/2 an hour.
Youthful appearance - deep ruby core, vary narrow pale ruby/purple rim. Nose also quite youthful with black and red berry fruit, floral notes, touch of gravelly mineral. Medium bodied, red and black berries to the fore, very fine tannins if still a touch firm, deep with vibrant acidity and a long, very lightly savoury finish. Whilst this is drinkable now it is still very much on the upslope.
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7/21/2019 - djhammond Likes this wine: 96 Points
A contender for wine of the vintage, for myself this outdrinks the left bank first growths by a distance. It is just nudging into to its optimum drinking window with time in the decanter and glass. The nose is full and deep with cherry and blackcurrant with vanilla hints. On the palate there is a steeliness to the tannin, but the fruit still prominent. The balance and depth on the palate and finish are outstanding and the best pre millennium example of the estate since 1983. As stated previously, once this fully develops its secondary and tertiary characteristics, I can see myself scoring this in the high nineties. 96+
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7/20/2019 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
BBQ and Top Shelf Vino (Chez Moll): Blind. Attractive aromas of perfumed red fruit with some spice, licorice and new leather. Pure, lifted fruit on the palate. Refined and silky tannin. I went to Piedmont. Surprised this didn't show any traces of Cab character.
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7/20/2019 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
Saturday BBQ (Chicago, IL): I don't think it's a good thing when the blind guess here from everyone else is nebbiolo... In any case, this does have an intense perfume on the nose, though a lot of the cabernet elements seem to be lacking -- the graphite, the pencil lead, the dried fruits -- all not there. But this is still very delicious, with a supple amount of red and black fruit, a nice minerality, and no signs of that concerning heat that was mentioned in some more recent reviews. It's not going to be a profound Palmer, but this is drinking quite pleasantly now.
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6/12/2019 - englishman's claret wrote: 94 Points
2019 Palmerathon: This is really coming around beautifully with an open, inviting nose full of cherry, redcurrant, roses, violets, and cedar. Gorgeous, feminine personality. 94+
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6/7/2019 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine: 94 Points
If not at its peak, awfully close, though no danger of fading any time soon. Just a delicious bottle, and hard to imagine anyone produced a better Bordeaux in 1999.
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4/18/2019 - jmoore431 wrote: 93 Points
Huge nose of berries and tobacco; balanced and seamless; elegant.
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4/8/2019 - ArizonaJ wrote:
Drank with RS
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3/15/2019 - DCHawkeye Likes this wine: 95 Points
Birthday dinner No. 1 - at La Piquette (my favorite French bistro in DC), decanted for 60/90 minutes before dinner, and a perfect accompaniment to the ribeye/frites, and the mushroom risotto. The '99 Palmer is drinking beautifully right now, very close to, if not at, its peak. I would guess this has at least 5-10 years ahead. Maybe the wine of the '99 vintage, and a beautiful bottle of 20 year old Bordeaux.
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2/20/2019 - drjb Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened on return home from Paris. This is a very complete wine which although lacking a little of the drive and texture of the greatest years demonstrates a deep crimson colour and a beautiful nose of violets, blackcurrants, damson plums, dark chocolate and touches of cedar and cigar box. The palate has a lovely texture and balance with plenty of length and persistence. The roundness of Merlot is evident and lifts the colours of the wine in the way of the best Palmers. Complete, ready and delicious.
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2/7/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
A beautiful nose of roses, black cherry, thyme, truffle and a light background note of cocoa make this fun to work with. On the palate, the wine shows silky, soft, textures, an elegant, fresh character and sweet cherries in the upbeat finish. This is fully mature. If you have a bottle, this is the sweet spot. I'd hit it over the next 10-12 years.
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2/3/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Good Wine with a Boring Super Bowl (Chez Kailin - Northbrook IL): Social walk-around tasting, brief note. Black cherry and currant with espresso and dark chocolate hints. Exceptional balance with sneaky structure and length. My favorite wine tonight for its enjoyment now.
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1/9/2019 - devraj Likes this wine: 94 Points
2019 Jan annual tasting hosted my me. Detailed notes later
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1/5/2019 - MaxSiegel Likes this wine: 95 Points
A real triumph of the '99 vintage. Nothing underripe or past peak about this wine. Dark cherry color fading to a pale rim. On the nose, lots of cassis and plum, along with cedar, eucalyptus, and even a hint of sweet barbecue smoke. Very slightly floral. Has that luxurious Palmer mouthfeel, with lush, well-integrated tannins along the cheeks. On the palate, more cassis and plum, along with some blackberry and that hint of smoke. Long finish, even if slightly drying. This is the wine to convert critics of the '99 vintage. Ready to go now but with nearly ten years of continued life ahead of it. If drinking now, it's ready straight out of the bottle.
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12/25/2018 - BradA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dad pulled for Christmas dinner. I popped at 430 and tasted over two hours. The wine was left until dinner at seven.
Firm structure, deep color and a lush mouth. There is an elegant softness as the wine closes and it gained some weight in the glass. I would not wait as it seems at its apex.
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11/11/2018 - djhammond Likes this wine: 97 Points
With a few hours in the decanter, this is firmly in its drinking window, and although it will continue to develop, it certainly not too young as per some other reviews. The nose is opulent with blackcurrent and ripe cherry, with subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate the fruit is lush, and combines with cigar box. The complexity and depth are outstanding, with the tannin nearly resolved. Completed with a 30+ second finish, this is my favourite Palmer after the 1983, pipping the 1989. I can see myself elevating the rating by a point or two, over the next couple of years.
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11/9/2018 - _water.into.wine_ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Clear, dark purple with ruby hues. Would never have thought 20 years old! A young but developing nose. Blackcurrents, floral, inky. After an hour, some hay. Low tannins, low alcohol. Medium bodied. Medium to long finish. Elegant and silky. Layered and balanced. This was nice treat. Served by KB.
Drink now to 2039+
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11/9/2018 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for an hour, dark fruits, still quite primary nose, inky, youthful colour, silky elegant palate, a straight laced proper Palmer that was not quite ready to party, drank with the 79 Palmer, next bottle in 2025
93+
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7/26/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
The wine starts off with lilacs and thyme. With air you find cigar box, earth and unlit cigar wrappers. Lush, soft and silky, there is a refined quality to the ripe, dark, red fruits here that feels great. Decanted 45 minutes, this is drinking in the sweet spot today. It should continue at this high level for at least another decade.
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6/22/2018 - Ms. Bubblehead Likes this wine:
Earthiness, dark fruits on the nose, some smoke, very balanced. On palate, very impressed by the structure and nice acidity. Got good amount of fruits but very elegant. The wine is still young, can enjoy now or later (age another 5-10 years).
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6/20/2018 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 93 Points
Joanne Bordeaux Trip 2018 (Bordeaux): Blind tasting with Thomas Duroux at Chateau Palmer. Wouldn't you know it that this flight of three were all the same vintage out of different formats -- 1999. All three were gorgeous, dark, earthy, floral and rich with lifting acidity and great energy. However, what really surprised me was how I preferred the one from 375ml, to the 750ml, as the 375 showed a more open floral and spice character and the 750 seemed quite broad on the palate. However, it was the magnum that stole the show, with more power, tension and focused fruit. (93+ - 375ml, 91 - 750ml, 94 1.5L Mag)
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6/9/2018 - steinersing wrote: 92 Points
lovely open nose, hint of maturity, not big but very fine
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6/2/2018 - MFenton Likes this wine: 95 Points
Delicious mature fruit with hint of leather and sandalwood. Some light tannin and a decade at least of life ahead for those lucky enough to be patient. Enjoy!
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5/22/2018 - SimonG wrote: 94 Points
1999 Bordeaux @ Piccolino (Piccolino, Liverpool Street Stn, London): Quite dense, dark fruit. A slight dustiness to the top notes. A rich, slightly savoury dark fruitedness. Holds and evolved well in the glass. Plenty of substance and interest here. ***(*1/2)
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5/9/2018 - Cathair Chaladinn wrote: 89 Points
I found the 1999 Palmer a little disappointing. I thought that there was some evidence of under-ripeness, I also found it to be sour with an incredibly dry finish. I have to admit I expected more from this prestigious chateau in this vintage. Not a bad wine by any means but lacked a certain Wow factor.
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2/28/2018 - djhammond Likes this wine: 97 Points
My favourite current Palmer ( the 1983 was the ultimate but is now starting to show decline). With a classic 12.5% alcohol content, the wine is surprisingly forward with a wonderful nose of blackcurrent and red cherry with hints of vanilla but also this time with a background of cedar and apple. On the palate the wine is opulent with good balanced tannin and possessing layers of complexity and completing with a lengthy satisfying finish. This needs time in the decanter and will continue to improve. For myself it is the wine of the vintage.
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2/20/2018 - dbenglis Likes this wine: 92 Points
I poured a coravin sample as I decanted the 1988 for dinner tonight. I always start a Bordeaux wine analysis the same way.
I read Jeff Leve's information on the vintage in order to see if I can make sense of the wine I taste with the climate of that year. Granted there are other variables but it wasn't looking good for 99. Hurricane, rot, rain and late bloat, hail, etc. Per Leve there was something different about Palmer.
It has a wonderful classic nose with prune and candied plums. The taste is long on the palate, fading late with volatile alcohol and tannin. A gem. This was my test bottle. I will acquire more.
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2/10/2018 - vinhslee wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for 3 hours. It kept getting even better throughout the night.
Attractive nose of cassis, cedar, almost perfumy.
On the palate, it has generous cassis, blueberry, fresh berries, cedar, sweet floral flavours. Flavours are well integrated. One can slurp the wine to extract more flavours. More fruitty than floral. Fresher and more primary than expected. Not as floral and earthy than usual. The healthy acidity forms a very good backbone to the structure. Palate is angular and not as rounded as I had hoped.
The mouthfeel is smooth and the tannins are firm yet finely resolved. But this is not as velvety as Chateau Palmer can be.
It is not a wow wine, but it's quietly graceful. Everything is not as top notch as the very best Chateau Palmer can be, but it gives very good drinking experience. I am grateful for what Chateau Palmer has done in the challenging vintage of 1999
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2/5/2018 - cos65 Likes this wine:
Absolutely lovely, entering a perfect drinking window, and seems like it should last a while. Red WOTN
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2/5/2018 - Nutty08 wrote:
Awesome Bordeaux. Intense pure red fruit. Red fruit nose, elegant and refined, but with some power on the palate. Plush palate with mostly integrated tannins. Wow wine and ready to go. More primary than I would expect but given the tannin integration probably not one to hold more than another 10yrs. A+
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12/18/2017 - JJYoyo Likes this wine: 95 Points
Greatly exceeded expectations given the meh vintage. Served from half-bottle. Started showing well quite quickly - one hour only of air - with rich bouquet of dark plum, blackberry, truffle, loam, and sweet florals. Taste was plum, cherry, vanilla, touch of candied orange. Loads of well integrated tannins; a backbone that complements the fruit beautifully. Decant this one - lots of sediment. Just entering maturity window. Fabulous, especially for the vintage.
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12/16/2017 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 96 Points
Château Palmer will forever be remembered as a standout in the otherwise unremarkable 1999 vintage. A blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, this bottle was purchased upon release and cellared in pristine fashion. There is no lack of color here, as this particular specimen yielded a deep ruby/red wine that is very youthful in appearance. Allowing four hours in decanter, it progressively delivers aromas and flavors of ripe plums, orange peel, lavender, loamy earth, truffles and pipe tobacco. Full-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (12.5%) and with soft residual tannins, it has a layered, silky-textured mid-palate and a very lengthy finish. Those holding comparably cellared bottles will be rewarded, as this gem is actually very early in its drinking window. Enjoy it throughout the next decade. Drink now-2030.
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11/2/2017 - kenv Likes this wine: 93 Points
WCC Margaux AOC Blind Tasting (Home of Chef Andrew Plummer, East Greenbush, NY): [Double-decanted at 1pm.] This one is even tighter than the last. A really big wine that needs a lot of time. This too should have gotten more air. 92-95 Tied for Group #2 WOTN.
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10/19/2017 - djhammond wrote: 97 Points
As per previous notes. Up there with the 1983 and still with room to improve. Do decant.
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7/28/2017 - svdheijden wrote: 95 Points
Six hours of aeration (no decanting) and this outstanding wine was very ready for business. Overwhelming nose of red and black fruit, pencil, smoke, juicy meat and a nice delicate undertone of fresh truffle and spring flowers. The almost 50% merlot treats the palate with its velvety, silky, lush, sexy mouthfeel. Just entering its plateau of maturity. No hurry for well stored bottles. On par with its famous 1st growth neighbor Chateau Margaux, in Margaux as well as on our table...
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7/7/2017 - canan wrote: 93 Points
4 Mini Vertical Tastings (Sammarco, Togni, Conseillante, Palmer) (MG): Slightly closed but the fruit is dense and young but it does have a touch of manure.
Harsh tannins and a fair acidity.
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6/17/2017 - jonanator wrote: 93 Points
Drinking very well at this stage, nicely mature, but will hold for a while. Still plenty of fruit, nicely integrated at this point. Very expressive nose. Very, very good.
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6/3/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
The color looks a bit advanced for its age, but that's the vintage. The nose is a treat, with its light dose of truffle, flowers, cherry pipe tobacco, incense, thyme and plum scents. Pure silk and velvet on the palate. The fruit displays a purity of sweet cherries. The medium bodied wine is fully mature and the fruit has just started to lighten. So, if you have this gem in your cellar, pop a cork, as it is not getting better with more age. This bottle was decanted about 45 minutes. Less air would probably be a bit better. The wine was made from blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot.
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6/3/2017 - Sundbyberg wrote: 95 Points
My 3:rd Palmer: 1999, 2006 and 2008.
What a nice wine. Great, ripe, slightly dark, fruit, all in harmony and balance. Needed a 2 hour decant, at least. Could add 1-2 points with more time.
A lot more fruity and less nuanced than the Margaux, which we had a bit later.
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5/22/2017 - Vancouver Likes this wine: 93 Points
Birth year wine of my son and drank with him (and some grilled rib eyes) on his 18th birthday.
Medium ruby appearance and no sign of lightening.
Evolving nose of black fruits- blackberry and cassis, tobacco, smoke and a touch of vanilla. Very elegant aromas that all hang together .
On the plate the wine is medium bodied with a bit less fruit and a bit more tobacco, spice and some savory elements. Medium tannin and acidity with a long finish.
Just an elegant and beautiful example that reminds us that Bordeaux used to be a much "cooler" climate appellation. Drinking well now but this could keep for 2 more decades easily. Purchased on release in 2002 .
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5/1/2017 - Mr T wrote:
solid but not spectacular after 3 hour decant. I failed to check bottle so not sure if Chicago or PLCB bottle. It was fine, but not sure if really shone
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3/9/2017 - djhammond Likes this wine: 97 Points
This is the second time I have had this wine during the last 12 months and it reaffirms everything I posted previously. The pureness of the nose is astounding with wafts of blackcurrent, red cherry and vanilla. It fills the mouth with luscious ripe berry fruits and meets velvety tannins before tapering off with a soft lingering finish. It does benefit from a few hours in the decanter. This is the best Palmer I've tasted since the 1983 and is definitely wine of the year. Incidentally it had developed further over the last six months and had marginally improved. 97+
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2/12/2017 - eschaefer Likes this wine: 96 Points
Ok so much for non-heralded vintages. This wine was primed tonight. Deep, opaque purple black color. Full bodied with aromas of Cedar, a smokiness that i described as 'post forest-fire' (others said BBQ) because it had an earthy forest aroma but was smoky and brooding, and grilled meat. The palate was pure black currant fruit coupled with middle eastern spice profile. The mouthfeel I can only describe as sexy and the finish was one of the longest persistent finishes I've ever experienced. Highest recommendation. Don't be afraid of off vintages from great chateau.
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2/10/2017 - wurzel68 wrote: flawed
Totally corked
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2/8/2017 - gsquireh Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for one and one half hours. What a bodacious bouquet- a fresh and spring like garden of wisteria and voilets has energy and grace. Black cherry and blueberry, some sweet cedar and red licorice, fresh forest floor, dark chocolate, African spices, a touch of crème brûlée gives this delicious, elegant, finely detailed, wine a finish that is forever. Top tier of the 1999’s.
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1/28/2017 - CMallard wrote: flawed
Subtly corked.
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1/18/2017 - viking92067 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely Bordeaux. No weakness. Acquired new and stored in cellar since. Years and years to go.
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11/30/2016 - Blair Curtis wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic bottle. Young still at 17 years of age. Fresh and vibrant red and black fruit. Tannins still a bit strong and dry. Lovely fresh and deep nose and ample fruit and body. Good crisp acid. This can age so much longer. Had this alongside 1999 Haut Brion. The HB was superior in smoothness of texture/mouthfeel only. Otherwise the Palmer was every bit its equal, and actually felt fresher and younger. This is a great Palmer in a less-than-great vintage.
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10/17/2016 - conviction buy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bt decanted over 3 hrs, deep crimson in color, nose of cassis, cocoa and cedar. Quite oaky on palate, but plenty of dark fruits, sweet and mildly acidic, a great balance. Quite oaky and maybe more time to resolve, tannin however, was velvetly. Very lovely now.
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9/27/2016 - djhammond Likes this wine: 97 Points
This has really suddenly come to life, and surely is contender for wine of the vintage. The pureness of the nose is astounding with wafts of blackcurrent, red cherry and vanilla. It fills the mouth with luscious ripe berry fruits and meets velvety tannins before tapering off with a soft lingering finish. This is the best Palmer I've tasted since the 1983.
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6/20/2016 - DrinkBordeaux wrote: 94 Points
Clearly one of the most impressive 1999 Bordeaux wines. A beautiful dark ruby color. The nose was expressive from the get-go, with cassis, blackberry, cigar box, leather, violets, and tobacco. With time, a distinctive chocolate note emerged. I was really impressed with the wine's impeccable balance; everything just seems to fit together. Solid on the mid-palate and silky smooth. A real crowd-pleaser wine. Impressive length on the finish, as it just seemed to linger on the palate. The tannins need a bit of taming but they're not intrusive at all. Medium acidity.
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6/16/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
The first thing you notice is the purity of the blackberry liqueur, followed by truffle, cedar, tobacco, thyme and plum aromatics. While that gets your motor running, the sexy, silky, voluptuous textures and decadent profile make their debut, finishing with plush, sensuous, dark fruits. What a beauty! In contention for wine of the vintage, this is really drinking well today with 20/30 minutes of air.
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6/2/2016 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
The last wine in this Chateau Palmer mini vertical. Very backward and dark in colour. On the nose quite complex and open. Great balance on the palate, round but grippy tannins, fresh and bright with good fruit and length. Very impressive and after the wonderful 2005 my WOTN. 92-94
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5/11/2016 - Vinum Deorum Likes this wine: 93 Points
A nice wine in a rather challenging vintage. Medium-bodied, round, velvety tanins, and a decent finish. You can feel there is a slight lack of maturity, but there is a good depth and some freshness. A nice bottle, yet not a truly great one.
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4/30/2016 - -E- wrote: 94 Points
Klar, dyp rød. Generøs nese med mørke bær, tobakk, lær og skogbunn.
Bløt, dyp, aromatisk og forholdsvis mørk frukt med lett utvikling. Frisk, saftig syre. Milde, nedslepne tanniner. Flott lengde.
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4/17/2016 - GeorgeSW wrote: 95 Points
Decanted for 3 plus hours, absolutely amazing .
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4/10/2016 - cnxy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for around 3 hours. Dark ruby, medium viscosity. Gorgeous perfumed nose: floral & dark fruit, yet without the musty scent of its age. Tasted lighter than expected. Moderate acidity; pleasantly lush & silky mouthfeel; surprisingly smooth and rounded tannins. Tasted of blackcurrant with hints of spice. Lovely, evolving finish which lasted forever. Still very early in its drinking window and will drink well over the next 20 years. WOTN, beating the 2000 Pavillon Rouge de Margaux by a mile.
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4/1/2016 - VHJV wrote: 93 Points
Dark and intensive. A great wine from a not so great year.
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3/17/2016 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Tampa Spring Break (the abridged version); 3/17/2016-3/18/2016 (Various Tampa locations (Mise en Place, Ocean Prime, etc.)): Our contribution for the evening. I had no idea the Palmer was a third growth. Was up against some seconds (Las Cases and Mission Haut Brion), but felt like it held it's own. It's more fruit forward than the other two or maybe the fruit just hadn't faded yet. Fig, plum, sawdust, leather, earth. Very good. I thought the finish was a bit quicker than I'd have liked, but overall a nice wine.
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12/3/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
This is really showing great today. The earthy, floral, blackberry nose continues until you're ready for the polished, silky, elegant, fresh, sensuous wave of fruit that hits your palate. Satisfying and complete. There are few if any older vintages of Palmer that are this good, close to mature, and for Palmer, sell for this little money in the marketplace today.
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11/22/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 96 Points
Pretty much everything you'd hope for from Bordeaux and especially Margaux. Decanted for 90+ minutes and then back into the btl with the cork out for another good hour. Pretty medium ruby color. Fairly light sediment and a strong cork. Fantastic big nose of tobacco and floral aromas. Tobacco carries over to the silky elegance Margauxs are known for where other flavors of; dark chocolate, red fruit, and minerality take over. This had focus and perfect structure on a medium weight frame. This was crazy good for about 45 minutes then started shutting down in the glass becoming a little more tannic too. Didn't matter as every drop was pretty much gone by then. A wonderful wine with plenty of youth yet. Glad I held off till this was solidly 15yrs+ old. I'll try to wait till 2020 for my last btl and see where its at at age 20. My WOTN and little bit ahead of the lovely table companion '99 Chateau Margaux which was more reserved at this point.
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11/11/2015 - BBencz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Two hour decant. Started off with an earthy nose, which moved to spice, tobacco and cedar. Still fairly primary, with black fruit, licorice and dusty tannins. Long finish. Will go another 10-15 years, but drinking great now after lots of air.
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9/24/2015 - Pointless Likes this wine:
Agree with the many favorable notes. Classic claret, ready to drink, still youthful. The two things I will add are 1) this wine made my wife sneeze. 2) On opening, for my palate, the nose was absolutely dominated by Asian 5-spice aroma, something I've sometimes read about but never perceived in a wine before. This blew off after a couple hours and a lot of fruit aromas showed through. Great wine. One thing that was amusing is that I opened this wine alongside a 1997 Clos de Tart Burgundy on my last night from my parents' house where my remaining great wines are stored across the country. Amusing to hear people who usually drink much less expensive wines express a clear preference for Grand Cru Burgundy to 2nd Growth Bordeaux. Can't say that I disagree though.
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9/13/2015 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
This is a very thick Margaux with lots of power, structure, and the will to live much, much longer. The wine starts slightly tart, but with time, it grew, becoming denser and sweet enough to round off and surpass the acidity. Very fresh, will improve. Drink or Hold
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9/11/2015 - joshbryer Likes this wine:
Really lovely concentrated nose with some flint but not a ton of secondary characteristics. Very posed with good acidity buffering the structure which is starting to recede. This will be really good in about 8-10 years I think.
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9/10/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Wine Tasted at Acker Auction (Riverpark - New York, NY): Tasting, brief note. Black cherry and black currant with dark chocolate hints. Good background spice adding nuance, great overall balance and textures. This wine is great now and has been consistently at this quality level for 5+ years.
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8/4/2015 - Sunny10 wrote: 90 Points
a bit disappointed
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6/19/2015 - FYC wrote:
Absurdly tight on open. I decanted 2 hours prior to dinner. 2 hours into dinner it really started to strut. Clean red fruit with a certain elegance and balance. Very good but needs a lot of air or time in the cellar.
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6/7/2015 - darky999 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good wine - but was soundly beaten by the Latour 1999 we had next to it.
Needs plenty of decanting time, well balanced, just not delivering a 'wow' factor.
Drinking well now will last for a long time
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6/6/2015 - Tire-bouchon Griffin Likes this wine: 97 Points
Lors de mon passage dans Bordeaux en 2012, j’ai eu la chance de visiter au moins 6 châteaux dans l’appellation Margaux dont ce prestigieux Château maintenant sous la direction générale de Thomas Duroux depuis 2004. Ce vin du millésime 99 est conçu sous le signe de l’élégance et la droiture du style de ce château. Un nez de truffe, de mûre, de tabac et subtilement florale constitue son bagage olfactive. La bouche est d’une élégance remarquable avec ses saveurs riches de cerises noires à maturité. Soyeux, généreux, le Palmer 99 est très harmonieux et pourra se conserver encore plusieurs années.
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5/23/2015 - steinersing wrote: 92 Points
quite good, but less giving than the 2000
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5/4/2015 - killer carrot wrote: 94 Points
Incredible
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4/30/2015 - souleillou Likes this wine: 90 Points
Gorgeous!
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4/30/2015 - souleillou Likes this wine:
Gorgeous!
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4/24/2015 - Fatty Cat wrote: 94 Points
Magnum bottle late Apr 2015: decanted; deep violet; cassis, cherry, caramel and chocolate bouquet; in the mouth black fruits; full body; smooth texture.
This wine tasted like a mixture of Numanthia, Hillside Select and LLC. But only with 12.5% alcohol!
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2/15/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
This beauty keeps getting better and better. With an hour of air, the nose popped, the wine softened and the elegance expected started to shine, leaving you with truffles, blackberries, tobacco and floral scents and a smooth, silky, fresh, sweet black cherry core of fruit. Perhaps my memory is fading, but this seems to be showing even younger than the past time I tasted it!
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2/8/2015 - yenda wrote: 89 Points
well, no wow whatsoever I have to say....dull and boring
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1/23/2015 - mhudes Likes this wine: 96 Points
Excellent wine. Decanted for one hour. Still young. Sensational nose, great mouth feel. Tobacco, mocha, leather, Asian spices, blueberry, plum. This wine has it all. Long Finish. This wine should easily last another decade, but it certainly was wonderful tonight.
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1/22/2015 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 Points
A private tasting and dinner (Bilthoven): Incredibly youthful and tannic, not in the least typical for Palmer or for Margaux, in fact a classic and tight Pauillac profile, energetic and long. Needs much more time, an amazing 1999 in many ways.
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12/5/2014 - andtheodor wrote:
Beef broth, milk chocolate, plum, cherry, burly, but clearly benefited from days of being open and decanting. A great wine someday.
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11/8/2014 - jim dixon wrote: 93 Points
Bought this back in 2005. Benefits from a 2 hour decant. Excellent wine, but will probably improve for several more years.
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10/9/2014 - peter_cellars Likes this wine: 92 Points
Quite a nice bottle. Unlike the other 1999s opened, this one still seemed young. Quite enjoyable now, but could last a few more years.
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8/10/2014 - cephomer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank at Blanco's WH beach house, alongside 2000 Alter Ego, which I thought would be an interesting comparison. I've had this 99 before & my notes are basically consistent with my prior tasting. Dark ruby/purplish color with no signs of age yet. Nose predominantly of tobacco & espresso aromas. On the palate, somewhat jammy with a lot of dark fruit up front, some forest floor & earthy elements, but not a particularly complex wine. The fruit seems a bit on the green side (though not nearly as unripe as the Alter Ego) & I detected a slightly vegetal quality--though, again, not as much as with the Alter Ego. Otherwise, a fairly elegant, pleasant, easy-to-drink claret with a moderately long finish.Tannins are fairly well-resolved but I think the wine is as good as it will ever be right now, and should continue drinking as is for at least the next 3-5 years.
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3/29/2014 - mwanasheria Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Château Palmer vertical (Burg Layen, Nahe, Germany): Quite tannic and dry on the palate, little fruit. The tannins suggest that this will take forever to integrate and come into balance - if ever. Not a great success. On the other hand, when tasting through it, all the ingredients seem to be there.
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12/2/2013 - godx wrote: 91 Points
MNF Dinner at Tommy's (Vancouver, BC): Classic Bordeaux nose with blacker fruits and hints of bell pepper. Lighter but velvety on the palate with softer structure. This the second time Ive had this wine and I've really liked it both times. Approachable and very nice to drink now but there's probably more to come with a few more years. Excellent. 91+
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8/5/2013 - William Kelley Likes this wine: 94 Points
The 1999 has another dimension of inner sweetness, and Palmer clearly lucked out in being one of the very few properties to have only a few millimeters of rain while others were getting soaked. There is a lot of graphite, cassis, leather, tar, mocha, and violets on display in this ripe, concentrated, old-school wine, which still possess a remarkably unevolved red-black colour. Really impressive.
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6/24/2013 - BeachBacchus wrote:
Tasted at Chateau during dinner, so limited notes. Lots of power, iodine, iron, blood. Very primary and dominant.
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6/2/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
Black currant, dark chocolate, espresso aromas with liqueur hints. Same currant flavors with plum and black raspberry. Very inviting in every way - aromas , flavors, textures and structure. Both fat and slightly lush, while still fresh and retaining energy and structure. A super impressive 1999.
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4/6/2013 - Cheungtp Likes this wine: 95 Points
A mini Palmer vertical: 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".
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3/27/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
Roasted berries, forest floor, earth, truffle, blackberry and cherry pie scents get you excited about the wine. In the mouth, this is pure elegance, opulent textures and fresh, ripe black cherries. This is drinking great today and with time, it will get better. But there is no reason to wait to enjoy this beautiful expression of Palmer. This is one of the top wines of the vintage and sells for a very fair price, for a top vintage of Chateau Palmer.
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3/9/2013 - ledwards wrote: 92 Points
Has opened up nicely. Ready to drink. Rounded, lush red berries- strawberry and pomegranite. A touch of menthol and tar. A lovely Margaux- too bad the world also values this wine as prices have risen to near unaffordable levels.
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2/23/2013 - CyroW wrote: 92 Points
Nice deep ruby colour. Aromatics are nice with mix of tobacco, almost chocolate, and hints of jammy red fruits (strawberry). Great balance in the attack still a lot of tannins in the end (age should hopefully loosen that up?), nice acidity and red fruits (jammy strawberry). Really nice wine, but not opulent enough for the next level...
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1/19/2013 - BillyT Does not like this wine: 92 Points
To be fair, my friend didn't want to open and let it breath as I did the last bottle. So, during the three hours at dinner it opened beautifully but probably should have decanted as well. No specific notes, sorry. Good bottle of wine, however which I can recommend. I think the 2000 is considerably better.
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12/17/2012 - Raycheng77 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drink on 17 Dec 2012 for celebration of our anniversary. Pour into a decanter, Deep ruby with legs, Medium intensity with red fruit, berry, leather, perfume, coffee, wet leave, medium to long finish. An excellent wine and can age for a few more years.
Will try again five years later.
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11/11/2012 - cephomer wrote: 90 Points
Medium to dark red color, no bricking. Nose predominantly of tobacco and coffee aromas. On the palate, sort of jammy with a lot of dark fruit up front, not a particularly complex or elegant wine, but a pleasant, easy-to-drink claret with a moderately long finish. Maybe it will tighten up over time and develop into more than it is today, but I doubt it. I think the wine is as good as it will ever be right now, and should continue drinking as is for at least the next 3-5 years.
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11/11/2012 - j30 wrote: 91 Points
Soft nose, herbal, subtle fruit, not a lot of complexity yet. Very palate with good balance. Fine tannins and medium finish.
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11/4/2012 - AlexHop wrote: 95 Points
What a left bank Bordeaux should be. Elegant, approachable without being wimpy.
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9/21/2012 - clementwolf wrote: 94 Points
Chateau Palmer dinner: Much more approachable than the 2000. Nose is opened with spices, mushrooms and hints of blackberries. Palate is delightful with soft tannins and medium finish. Most silky and smooth wine thus far.
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9/17/2012 - markjanes wrote: 92 Points
Wow... 3 years goes by fast. My TN this time around after a short decant was nearly identical except for my textural descriptors which were a bit less flattering (firmer acids and tannins in relation to midpalate weight) than last time and my aromatic desciptors which seem to indicate a bit more tertiary development and complexity in flavor and aroma. Obviously well stored bottles of this will last for another decade or two, however I'm not convinced that the pluses one will get will offset any negatives to a significant degree and will error on drinking my last two bottles of this sooner rather than later in that time frame. Try again in 2-3 years.
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8/23/2012 - RayOB Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank at Stephanie's
A blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot.
Classic luscious and beautiful Palmer that's drinking now. Nose of black berries, liquorice, vanilla and spice. Rich deep silky smooth taste with a long length. Yum Yum !
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7/23/2012 - godx wrote: 92 Points
France 2012 - Paris; 7/22/2012-7/23/2012 (Paris): Beautiful nose with Bordeaux funk, dark red fruits and a hint of greenish. Silky palate with fairly resolved tannins and a soft finished. Drinking extremely well right now but should continue to develop for another decade. Excellent. 92+
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6/29/2012 - yenda wrote: 89 Points
better than 95 drank alongside but still far away from being a stunner as in the past
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6/28/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Tobacco, coffee, caramel, black raspberry, floral, lead pencil and cherry blossoms create the perfume. Silky, soft, refined and elegant in personality, this medium bodied vintage of Palmer is ready to drink. There is a lot of purity in the fruit, coupled with freshness, but it lacks the density of a great vintage. I'm not sure this will make old bones. I'd drink this over the next decade, or a little bit longer.
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6/3/2012 - LorenGrossman wrote: 93 Points
Definitive Margaux. A melange of perfumed red fruit, plum, earth, cassis, tobacco and freshly butchered meat. At least tonight, this wine embodies elegance. Velvety red fruited mid palate with some licorice root, deftly integrated and balanced front to back. Long, fine finish. No hurry here, but drinking great right now.
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5/29/2012 - Winekrupt wrote: 91 Points
Tobacco, earth, sweet red and balck berry fruit with a hint of baking spice. In the mouth this wine is still quite bright with fresh crunchy berry fruit, while being briney and earthy too... my first impression was how ripe the the flavour was while still retaining good acidity and balance. I struggle with the "expectation" of such a wine, and have to admit that the finish could have been longer and the impact more profound. The flavour profile, although being vast, did not seem to hit with enough intensity or endurance. If I ignore the price- a good enjoyable wine.
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5/5/2012 - cos82 wrote: 86 Points
Very disappointing-to me. Dark cherry red. Not much nose, mostly graphite and a hint of cassis. Total lack of fruit either from initial pour or over 2 more hours from later pours. Some pencil, leather and crushed stones on a slightly harsh palate. A lot of nice scores in CT for this wine, but if you read the notes, you wonder where they come from.
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4/9/2012 - melzar wrote: 91 Points
A decent Palmer. Fragrant, but lacking the complexity of the great vintages. A few more years in the cellar should help. Significant upside potential, but will never be a '70, '83, or '89.
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2/29/2012 - Fatty Cat wrote: 91 Points
Late Feb 2012, Chateau Palmer tasting at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival: bottle opened approx. 3 hours before tasting, bottle to bottle decanted (sommelier information); deep purple red color; red fruit, vanilla, bread, iodine and forest floor; decent tannins; medium body; satin-like, ethereal texture; medium finish. 91-92 points.
Still not fully developed. The 1999 Margaux has a chance to gain some more complexity over the next 5-10 years and add additional rating points.
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12/15/2011 - fdub wrote: 93 Points
Drank at the Napa Men's Lunch Club. Still very young and primal. Nice red fruit on the nose with some tobacco starting to emerge. I have very limited experience with Bordeaux however this was simply a delicious wine but didn't have enough time to really focus on it.
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11/25/2011 - englishman's claret wrote: 91 Points
From 375. Youthful crimson disc, deep robe. Still quite immature; primary on the nose, dense, dark fruit. On opening, a fair amount of barnyard which blew off over the next few hours in the decanter to leave a nice mineral streak and some flowers with a distinctly cigar note. Good fruit on the palate, but still very tannic and a little raw on the finish.
7 hours into the decant a pure nose of dark fruit and violets. I think this will improve, but broaching a bottle before five years from now would just be a waste.
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11/22/2011 - Rupert wrote: 89 Points
A Palmer Vertical 1966-1999 (Medlar, Chelsea, London): Grainy, dense, extracted, tannic. Not showing the characteristic Palmer perfume. The least enjoyable and the least impressive wine on show tonight.
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11/22/2011 - SimonG wrote:
Ch Palmer @ Medlar (The Medlar, London): Dense, very fragrant, violet fruit. Seems more modern than the others. Starting to soften though and far less of a brute than spring 2007's bottle. Dense and fleshy but very smooth across the atatck and the palate. A little simple, and short, on the finish but hopefully it will add complexity with age. **(**?)
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10/12/2011 - ecwingen Likes this wine: 91 Points
Promising -- mineral core, fleeting flowery notes, and lots of deep red fruit. Needs at least another 5 years.
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9/5/2011 - ZARDO wrote: 92 Points
nice - still a little tight
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9/4/2011 - alamoave wrote: 89 Points
Subdued at this stage (hopefully).
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9/3/2011 - winelover1808 wrote: 94 Points
great bottle. nose had typical left bank aromas - tobacco, dark fruit. but the real winner was the body and finish. after 25-30 minutes of opening up in the glass, this wine really came to life. fantastic mouthful and very elegant, smooth, long finish. Def could age another 10 years. But showing very well and only regret was not decanting and giving it more time to open before consuming the first glass.
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8/22/2011 - rnellans wrote: 93 Points
Decanted. A bit closed initially, however opened up with time into a beautiful wine. Deep dark garnet color. Cassis, spice, with some floral elements in the nose. Rich, with big middle, quite balanced with soft tannins and a lot of dark fruits on the palate. Long satisfying finish. THis wine continues to improve. Long life ahead.
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8/17/2011 - matherjo wrote:
Sublime balance of fruit and grace.
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7/30/2011 - danielk168 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted in bottle for 1 hour, should ave used the decanter but the first glass felt so good that we thought we didn't need the decanter. But it gets better and better and before reaching its peak for the evening, we finnished the bottle! rating should be higher if we used the decanter. Youthful, vibrant, pleasant, can drink now but should be much better with time.
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7/16/2011 - psmith wrote:
Great nose - refined, pure, and deep. Good integration of fine tannins and soft flavors. Youthful but drinking very well.
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6/29/2011 - Anonymous Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delicious but young. Sweet black fruit, cedar, tobacco and graphite. Very clean and focused. Medium body but still excellent persistance throughout. This should have been decanted but it was a last minute dinner selection.
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4/29/2011 - Arcturus wrote: 90 Points
Bordeaux 2001 vs. Napa 2002 (Bordeaux blend)- Blind Tasting: 90- Muted nose, seemed to really be holding back. Palate-deep core of black fruit, black cherry but not easy to detect. Medium to heavy weight. textured and long finish with tannins noticeable. Second time we had this in a blind lineup and both times came across as closed (at least comparatively). guessed Palmer... (my #4, groups #5)
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4/18/2011 - Jared wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for roughly 30 minutes. Still pretty damn dark in the glass which gave an indication of the youthfulness we were going to experience. Gorgeous Margaux aromas of sweet tobacco and cedar followed by intense graphite and cassis liqueur. Definitely full-bodied with freshness of power that was intriguing. Plenty of dark berry fruit set against still formidible tannins that glided past and tickled your tonsils and left you with a nice balance of tannin and sweetness on your tongue. I'm starting to get worried as my fondness for bordeaux grows. 92 pts.
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4/13/2011 - Vinsant wrote:
Drinking well with about 30 minutes air time. Dusty mushrooms and moist earth surrounded the dark fruit and cedar notes. Tannins still kicking but nice mouthfeel. Went very well with lamb stew. Lots of fruit but the secondary notes kept it interesting. Lots of life ahead.
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4/9/2011 - last chance wrote: 91 Points
My first tasting of a Palmer. A lot more flavors of damp earth, mushroom and leather than I typically enjoy in a wine, but it was still evident that this was well made. Now I understand what is meant by a Palmer vintage though, so this was an educational bottle for me.
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2/19/2011 - rxlaw95 wrote:
Drank at Paul's. This is like popping a newly crafted fine French wine. It is really bold and the tannins are very much intact. While they have softened a bit, I'd hold one of these another 3-5 before trying it again. I think it will continue to improve.
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2/2/2011 - rnellans wrote: 92 Points
Cassis, floral aromas. Nice depth. Tannins starting to integrate. Satisfying finish. Developing nicely.
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1/20/2011 - Appelpop wrote: 94 Points
Kerstavond
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12/28/2010 - BeavisCC wrote: 96 Points
Fantastic showing, proof that profound wines can be made even in "lesser" vintages. Gorgeous nose, fruit, earth and depth - what more could you want? An '89 Clinet opened on its heels was a bit deeper and built for a longer haul, but tonight we preferred the younger Palmer.
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12/26/2010 - Appelpop wrote: 91 Points
Ongelofelijk krachtig. 1,5 uur open en toen kwam ze! Lekker!
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12/25/2010 - Appelpop wrote: 92 Points
Zeldzaam fijn wijntje
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12/24/2010 - Godstears wrote: 91 Points
99 Palmer was described as "Mona Lisa Smile" in a famous Japanese comics. I guess one of the reason is because Palmer gives you a soft and smooth taste in the first sip, and it's charming and fascinating characteristics of a Margaux wine. It is mature to drink now and it has a deep plum, black berry and a light smell of vanilla spices on the nose. After taste is not strong and that is the only flaw that I notice in this wine.
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11/23/2010 - Lord Rayas wrote: 92 Points
Big and powerful, but very tight now. Decanted for 3 hours but only just started to show. Need to put away for a few more years.
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10/1/2010 - K033642 wrote:
With max and oli
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9/26/2010 - rwstorer wrote: 91 Points
Clear, dark red color with a classic BDX nose. HUGE and extremely tight. Its mpossible to pick out individual flavors other than black fruits and spice. Acid level off the charts.
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7/17/2010 - Corgi wrote:
The bouquet was enchanting, like walking into a deep, dark forest where I wandered about and got lost in...
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7/9/2010 - TimmyR wrote:
No formal notes - This wine had a very good nose, with some hints of aging: dark fruit, leathery earthiness. Very good velvety start, and very good body, but the tannins are still very present in the finish. I like this very much in this stage, but I have no doubt it could be even better with some more aging. Outstanding, elegant wine.
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6/29/2010 - VHJV wrote: 94 Points
From a .375 and decanted for about 2,5 hours. This has an awesome nose that is dark and complex. In the mouth it is powerful, but extremely elegant. A lot of tannin still. This continues to be my clear favorite 1999 Bordeaux and a really impressive wine from that year. I had my first bottle of this wine a little over a year ago and then rated it 96 points. This time it perhaps had a slightly less impressive mouthfeel and length, but a great wine nonetheless.
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5/23/2010 - 60ouvrees wrote:
Good stuffing but still very young. Needs time.
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5/5/2010 - yenda wrote: 94 Points
majestic, impressive and well defined as well (ie excellent Margaux, confident wine, not muscular but still powerfull)
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4/5/2010 - yenda wrote: 94 Points
decanted for few hours. quite amazing indeed. others have already described nuances so I will just say that i perceive it slighlty more muscular than other wines of the appelation. still very youthfull, wont touch remaining bottles for 3 years at least
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1/30/2010 - Miceri wrote: 95 Points
Dark red; nose slightly closed, deep dark berries; soft soft round nice mellow; long aftertaste; very very good
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1/15/2010 - dcwino wrote: 94 Points
Chateau Palmer Vertical with Thomas Duroux (La Plume, Jefferson Hotel, Washington DC): Great concentration, jammy wine but the nose is shy.
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1/14/2010 - Faryan wrote: 92 Points
Palmer Vertical with Thomas Duroux (La Plume, Jefferson Hotel, Washington DC): Drank alongside the 2000 and 2005. This bottle was decanted for an extensive period of time and showed less tight than the original bottle in flight #2. A good sign for the wine.
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1/14/2010 - Faryan wrote: 92 Points
Palmer Vertical with Thomas Duroux (La Plume, Jefferson Hotel, Washington DC): Tasted twice that evening from two different bottles. A second note will accompany this. The nose is closed offering little in terms of aroma. The wine has a great mouthfeel of supple berries and kirsch driven richness. It has a depth and precision that feels unique. Perhaps it is in a tight spot at the moment but when it blossoms it should be quite wonderful. Give it several hours to open, decanted a la bordelais pour 2-3 heure.
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1/13/2010 - teekayfl wrote:
Despite 3 hours open, way too young.
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12/25/2009 - BradA wrote: 90 Points
A solid and very enjoyable bottle shared on Christmas. An odd bubblegum nose blew off in time and presented a tasty wine with good depth, even finish and smooth tannins; this is a wine to enjoy today or in the next 4-6 years. Not dense, chewy or powerful--it does show the character of the region and I would be happy to check back in another year.
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10/22/2009 - ews3 wrote: 91 Points
2009 Wine Spectator NYWE Grand Tasting (Marriott Marquis, Times Square, NYC): very secondary... oak, tobacco, and cedar.
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9/28/2009 - markjanes wrote: 90 Points
Dark color, red ruby rim, moderate + extraction. A very aromatic and floral wine with a very round and juicy core of blackcurrant, raspberry... nicely spiced with oak barrique notes... hints of cedar and coffee licorice with time in the glass. On the palate moderate acidity, a very lush and broad midpalate that transitions effortlessly into a very full, moderately tannic finish that is very ripe and well integrated. Balance is a little of the soft side, good length and complexity, very good intensity. Good finesse, texturally supple wine, good expression of place. For me this wine is pretty close to its peak though I think there is some more complexity to tease out of this thing (perhaps at the expense of some freshness to the fruit that is the driving force for this wine)... great 99, very good Palmer for its style which is polished and lush.
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9/24/2009 - MRichman wrote:
Party Like It's 1999: A 10 year look back at 1999 Bordeaux (Public Restaurant, NYC): Wonderful. Well balanced with fine tannins, dense sweet herb and coffee. Very complex with a long finish. Still drinking young, but very enjoyable.
A
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9/7/2009 - ove wrote: 95 Points
Decanted 2 hours +. Truly excellent, slightly better than the also fantastic Giscours 2000.
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8/31/2009 - Giggs wrote: 93 Points
Deep ruby-purple color, blackberry, charcoal, leather, molasses, and some mint on the nose. Palate has smokiness, tart raspberry, with bright acidity.
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6/10/2009 - MNP wrote:
Beautiful nose of crushed violets, minerals, and dark fruit. Tannins are softening. Saddle leather, vanilla, and oak dominate the palate. Long finish. Very good +.
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5/1/2009 - jeff nowak wrote: 93 Points
this wine seems to be bulletproof. very interesting to taste the night after having gone thru such a wide array of the 99s, including most of the first growths. this only lacked ultimate complexity, and might have been a touch closed. not decanted, and followed in the glass for about 2 hours. a little sweaty on the nose (per jane more than me), a hint of leather, but still dominated by some friendly forward leaning fruit. a wine in transition, but sailing along nicely.
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3/20/2009 - Moorese wrote: 88 Points
Opened for our 10th anniversary, this wine showed great promise for the future, but didn't deliver as much as expected in the present. Somewhat dumb aromatics with just hints of floral essence. Loads of very lively and youthful fruit, but not much nuance or development yet. Given the vintage, I thought this might be a bit more advanced. Outshined tonight by the 99 Pape-Clement. I expect the tables will be decidedly turned in a few years.
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3/6/2009 - Fielding wrote: 96 Points
Decanted 3 hours. Youthful purple with the slightest rim of brown. Nose of currants, dark fruit, coffee and a hint of cedar. Still more primary at this point, with berries and chocolate on the palate, with lots of tannin. Long finish. This one's going to be great.
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2/27/2009 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
LdC Palmer vs. Margaux Dinner (Primehouse): Big nose of vanilla and black fruit - very nice and interesting. Big vanilla sweet blackberry palate wtih a medium/long coffee finish. Plenty of oak here and almost a new world flair - a good value in a forgotten vintage.
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2/21/2009 - Zoce wrote: 96 Points
Three Great Terroirs, Masterclass at Great French Fine Wine Encounter 2009 (The Landmark Hotel, London): -
Eye: Deep purple
Nose: Licorice and earthy-leathery notes… mmmm…
Palate: Very complex black fruit, tar... Perfectly rip tannins and soft french oak feels elegant and velvety. A full boded wine and in the same time so rounded and charming…
Finish: Long and charming …
Decanted: 1 1/2 hr.
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1/27/2009 - sdylewski wrote:
very nice.
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1/1/2009 - JBBridge wrote: 93 Points
I tasted this a few years ago, thought it was terrific, and bought a case. We opened the first bottle last night to drink with beef tenderloin for New Year's Eve. I decanted for about two hours and then poured back into the bottle. VERY impressive. Not quite ten years old, a baby, but very approachable now. Beautiful, dark, inky color. Lots of flowers with oak and cassis on the nose. Dark fruit and licorice dominated the palate with tar, oak and leather nuances. The tannins were sweet and gripping. Chewy, creamy mouth feel. Moderately long finish. Everything is a bit primary right now, but drinking this was still a great experience. A New-World-leaning but still classic Margaux. I can't wait to try another in a few years!
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12/29/2008 - craiglpalmer wrote: 95 Points
Classic Palmer. Great Margaux nose, heavy with black current. Earthy and dusty with black coffee, fruit, spices and licorice. Well balanced, tannins will take this one for a long time. Decanted for 1-2 hours.
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10/19/2008 - mortenef wrote: 95 Points
It is true. This is a classic in the making. Very very beutiful and well balanced wine. Awesome now, and will only improve over 5-10 yrs.
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9/3/2008 - windgod wrote: 95 Points
Palmer 99 lives up it. Best since 1961. Fantastic nose with black currant, licorice and minerals. Classic Margaux nose. Extremely full rounded palate with great finesse. Reminds me of the 2005 - yes, that young. Simply infanticide here. This wine will outlive the Cheval Blanc 99. Certainly a great contender to 2000 and 2005 to become the greatest Palmer produced in this era.
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7/20/2008 - Jozefs wrote: 94 Points
(Note from second day.) Meat, black coffee, black fruit, spices, liquorice, a lot of material, still young but already accessible with some prior breathing, good overall balance.
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6/13/2008 - gsquireh wrote: 96 Points
Magnificent this garden of voilets has stature and elegance. Blackberry and blueberry tied together with licorice give this high percentage of merlot wine a wonderful finish.
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5/31/2008 - good old ludwig van wrote: 93 Points
Poured into the decanter, but started drinking right away. It got better with some air, so an hour or so decant probably would have been better.
The amount of tannins present seem to indicate this will continue to improve with more bottle age. It is great now, though. The best way I can describe it is "pretty." With some air it had a really pretty violet note in the bouquet.
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3/15/2008 - jeff nowak wrote: 93 Points
decanted. some tannin/ oak to resolve. hold.
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3/3/2008 - tendring wrote: 98 Points
Opaque, a bit of age.
Fruity, a little vegetal underneath, lovely welcoming bouquet, very youthful.
Luscious with strong tannins, smooth, classy, complex, moreish, great length.
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2/27/2008 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Margaux vs. Palmer Dinner, served in single blind flights (Primehouse - Chicago IL): Single blind 95/99 Margaux/Palmer flight. Black fruit and blast of spice on the nose. Lots of black fruit on palate, presently framed nicely by some noticeable oak, but getting close to refined integration. Good fruit, espresso and spice on long finish.
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2/27/2008 - chrisab14 wrote:
Tried at the store. That that this was coming along nicely. very well structured with a nice finish and good nose. The glass I tried I think had been sitting a little long after decanting, so I attributed the little flatness I got to that. Still, very enjoyable.
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2/26/2008 - bonustime7 wrote: 94 Points
wonderful. gorgious nose and sweet full bodied
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12/21/2007 - Papies wrote:
Old archive note no Rating given at the time.
Tasted at Beige, Tokyo (£160 equivalent oh those days)
Polished smooth and elegant wine, too young though and lacks a complex side and in a way is with very little finish. Needs time
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9/26/2007 - jmd60611 wrote: 95 Points
Holy crap was this goood...Popped and poured and decanted the rest over 4 hours...fragrant, dance in the mouth feel...Structured, textured and well balanced with great fruit and healthy tannins a finish that went forever...This wine is getting better...Drink next in 3 years
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8/10/2007 - mattiasjansson wrote: 93 Points
Somewhat muted nose, but what was there was nice. Tight/tannic but is already showing where this is going. Put it down for a long time.
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8/10/2007 - goofy Yno wrote: 94 Points
what an incredible nose. smoky, floral, cigar, dark fruits, pencil lead tobacco, chocolate. by far the best nose of the night. cherry mouth with a little tartness, but nice finish with some coffee and blueberry. I was a little disappointed in the mouth but I'm not sure if that was as compared to the nose or the Lafite.
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8/10/2007 - kstoddard wrote: 93 Points
Blackcurrant and violet nose that has incredible freshness and depth. Without even trying this wine I knew it would be special. Blackberries, chocolate and pencil lead on the palate. Quite feminine compared to the 1996 Lafite. Pretty, complex finish. Everything you want from Bordeaux.
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6/10/2007 - BeavisCC wrote: 94 Points
A beautiful bottle of young, but very drinkable, Bordeaux. Complex, lovely, floral and earth nose indicative of a great Margaux. Bigger fruit on the attack than even anticipated - many other 99s did not achieve anywhere near this level of fruit concentration - had this been served blind, I might have guessed 96 or 2000. Smooth, medium-bodied finesse on the mid-palate, and a solid finish. Very nice now, and sure to drink well for at least the next 15-20 years.
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6/9/2007 - Alpine wrote: 92 Points
Drank with the Newmark's...young but with great promise.
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3/26/2007 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
A highlight from a (mostly young) Palmer vertical, wish I could find the rest of my notes. Black currant, black cherry with excellent dark chocolate and espresso in support. Great overall balance and elegance, this is really showing well now with big potential for the next 20+ years.
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3/23/2007 - snipes wrote: 94 Points
Sensual mouth feel, just lovely. The wine still had a gorgeous purple color to it. The taste was full of sweetness, notes of chocolate. It was not as sweet at the 2004 though. Absolutely exceptional. This wine caused quite a bit of excitement among the group. My WOTD hands down.
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3/2/2007 - SimonG wrote:
Brighton Palmer Offline (Seven Dials Restaurant, Brighton): Double decanted 4 hours before tasting. Promising nose. Slightly creamy. Grippy. Fruity. Hmm, seems to lack a bit of class in the company. Chewy, signs of being a shortish new world fruit bomb.. 5 hours after double decanting this is starting to calm down, and 6 hours later this is becoming a pleasant drink. Way too young, but I guess the potential is there. 24hr later this is very smooth, balanced and structured and very classy. Lovely wine but now closed down and needing quite a bit of bottle age to take for its Palmer elegance and breeding to show well.
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10/20/2006 - win wrote: 92 Points
Chateau Palmer Dinner, Dallas, TX (Lavendou Bistro Provencal): Had this alongside the 2000 Château Palmer. Initially, the 1999 had more dusty aromas and was more acidic, but opened up over time and seemed to arrive at an optimum drinking stage faster than the 2000. But, overall, the 2000 was deeper and exhibited more refined and polished flavors than the 1999; however, with that said, the 1999 was showing very nicely and reminds me that I need to look into more 1999 Left Bank Bordeaux. 90-94
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7/1/2006 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
Blackberries, boysenberries, coffee and cassis are only a harbinger of things to come. Very classy, stylish, sophisticated and elegant. Great concentration and balance. Still young. 99 will drink well early, but this is not close to maturity
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6/23/2006 - MFong wrote:
1999 Bordeaux; 6/23/2006-7/16/2006 (Brix, at home, Singapore): Dark garnet. Sweet nose of juicy dark cherries. Blackcurrants, pepper and spice on the full bodied palate.
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6/20/2006 - Eric wrote:
An unreal tasting of Château Palmer and Château Margaux with Thomas Duroux of Palmer (Los Angeles, CA): Mmm, this is clearly quite closed yet intense and rich with cranberry and mineral. This is a great Palmer in the making, although it is extremely tight and wound up right now.
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2/18/2006 - jim dixon wrote:
This isn't the 99 Palmer I remember. Either this bottle was very slightly corked, or the wine has shut down in a serious way. At first, it was only giving tannin. After several hours, it started to open up, but never to the point that it resembled the lovely bottle I had about a year ago. (After five hours it resembled the 98 Mouton, not a Palmer.) We have one more bottle, and I'll be sitting on it as long as possible.
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12/2/2005 - crazydervish wrote: 93 Points
Vertical Tasting
Wow
This is going to be a powerhouse
Strong Tannins but what a mouthfull of dark fruit flavours
While the 1998 is softer and ready to drink now, this 1999 can easily hold for another five to ten years and still not hit the peak
Very impressive but still a joy to consume early
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10/27/2005 - Evargsoc wrote: 95 Points
WS
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10/24/2005 - Dteng wrote: 94 Points
Dark and brooding. Black currants, cassis, smoke and a hint of earth at the back end. Backward and tannic, but concentrated - the fruit has receded since the last time I opened one. Excellent potential. No touchy for 5-7 years!!
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8/1/2005 - cassetta wrote: 93 Points
Smooth and more concentrated fruit than the Ducru. Spice on the nose and rich with glycerin that coats the palate.
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7/18/2005 - Dubliner wrote: 93 Points
Deep purple color, notes of graphite and fruit. Very tannic, closed down. After 24 hours, it had opened up a little to reveal more fruit, good grip and a long finish. But this is definitely one to leave for another five years at least.
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6/18/2005 - thomaskeil wrote: 91 Points
After reading the other notes that this may be closing down, I decanted for 3 hours. Still it was not the complex beauty that was described from last year's notes. It was, however, enormously pleasurable with graphite, stone and deep backberrry and cassis fruit in a solid core aroma. Palate is a bit tightly wound and finishes with great length. It's probably best to let this one rest for a few years at this point as it seems packed to explode into something wonderful the way that the '83 and '89 Palmer did.
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5/4/2005 - PaulH wrote: 92 Points
Bon Voyage Jeff Cassetta (Some Palmers & Etc.) (Fringale Restaurant, San Francisco): A deep opaque and purple/red color advertises the youth of this wine. The nose was open for business showing graphite and lead with sweet fruit and -- perhaps -- a touch of alcohol. While it still tastes like Bordeaux, it is remarkable how modern and global-style this wine tastes, with low acidity, and lots of ripe fruit (in 1999?). The palate is quite ingratiating with a medium-full body, chewiness and rich tastes of bittersweet chocolate -- though there isn't a lot of complexity. The finish was long and showed still firm tannins. As the wine aged in the glass, the fruit receded and the tannins remained (ah, more like a 1999). This is very good wine, but it seems atypical for Bordeaux. I wonder how well it will age?
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10/16/2004 - MRichman wrote:
Off Vintage Bordeaux (NYC): Minty, complex. Herbal. Lots going on. Coffee, dark. Mocha. Not a blockbuster, but really wide & complex.
A--
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8/26/2004 - DChan wrote: 90 Points
I was more impressed by my previous half-bottle, so perhaps this is beginning to shut down a bit. Less giving on the nose this time compared to the aromatic fireworks I experienced before, it nevertheless retains the same sexy flavor profile and plush texture. Note to self: lay the other bottles away for a long time to come.
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7/8/2004 - Eric wrote: 95 Points
Dinner at home with Suzi, Mom and Bob. The moment I popped the cork I was blown away by the expressive nose on this wine. Asian spices, cedar, flowers, and pain grille literally explode from the glass and decanter. Wow! The texture on this is remarkably silky and lush, a detail I rarely comment on with Bordeaux. So much glycerin, it just coats your palate in a stunning way, wow! This is such a plush and sexy wine, yet the backbone is also evident. On the palate this was initially quite tannic, but with just 15 minutes in the glass it started to round out and show much more depth and approachability. The finish on this is unbelievably long. It wasn't as sweet as I expected from reading tasting notes, instead showing more minerality and a background of fruit. It seems a little closed, but that is to be expected. Still, this is crazily stunning stuff with aromatics so beautiful they make you want to weep. Wow!
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6/21/2004 - jeff nowak wrote:
again, this appellation was shining. an extremely forward and immediately satisfying wine. secondary nuances be damned. big thumbs up.
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5/1/2004 - DChan wrote: 96 Points
This is outrageously delicious - I can pretty safely say this is my favorite young Bordeaux yet. My bottle might be a hair more evolved than some because it is a 375mL ... but I'm sure it's great from any format even now. The mind-blowing nose includes super-sweet cassis fruit, flowers, and caramel, while the flavors cascading over the tongue have me too senseless with pleasure to analyze them. I will undoubtedly drink my other half-bottle soon, but I have to make sure I lay off my six other bottles and my magnum - this will be stupendous in maturity.
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2/29/2004 - Nuray wrote:
Portfolio Ref # BDX G2
Setting: Study Group / Bests at Paul Farrell's
Appearance: bright, dark ruby core, narrow purple rim, viscous
Nose: creme caramel, buttered popcorn, heady, evident fruit
Palate: dry, oaky with dense dark fruits - plums, blueberry and slight cassis notes, drying tannins, full bodied with a very long finish, very well balanced
Comments: 12.5%, lush and round with intense caramel notes, a solid wine
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8/2/2002 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 93 Points
Tasted blind at Vintage Wines, Ltd. (bottle from cellar of Ken Johnson). Opaque purple with ruby rim. Intense, beautiful nose showing predominant coffee, plum, earth and black cherry. Medium to full-bodied, with ample but very supple tannins. Similar flavors as nose. Long, smooth finish. I incorrectly guessed this wine to be a 1998 right bank Bordeaux. It is impressive for a 1999, likely due to the high percentage of Merlot and the careful selection.
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