A Palmer Vertical 1966-1999

Medlar, Chelsea, London
Tasted Tuesday, November 22, 2011 by Rupert with 791 views

Introduction

One of those occasions where the vertical format really brought out the character of the wine. All the mature wines showed spicy fragrance, the merest hint of funk, red fruits, and a freshness and elegance. The 66/78/83/85/89 are already there; the 86 and 88 will surely get there. But there's a question mark over the later nineties wines, especially the 99 which was a very different animal.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Flight 2 - with Wild mushroom risotto (3 Notes)

  • 1985 Château Palmer 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    A thrilling start to the evening - deep red, spicy, a hint of funk, bright on the palate - fresh, balanced, utterly gorgeous

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  • 1978 Château Palmer 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Has the same spice profile as the 85, the merest hint of '78 green (which I often find obtrusive), dry, grippy, but very fine

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  • 1966 Château Palmer 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    A quieter nose than the first two, grainier, but it has precisely the same red fruit and spice profile - lovely

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Flight 3 - with Tagliatelle of hare (3 Notes)

Flight 4 - with Under blade fillet with bone marrow, salad, triple cooked chips and béarnaise (2 Notes)

  • 1989 Château Palmer 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    This too was pure, youthful, but very grand, lots of poise - lots of kinship with the 83, just a bit bigger and younger

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  • 1983 Château Palmer 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Has the red fruits and spice of the first flight, but purer, a touch riper, more poise, this is fantastically grand

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Flight 5 - with Cheese (3 Notes)

  • 1995 Château Palmer 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Just possible to sense the characteristic Palmer spice, but his denser than the previous wines. Decent fragrance

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  • 1996 Château Palmer 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Plush and smoky on the palate, very tannic, , restrained, but elegant, and one can imagine this turning into a classic Palmer

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  • 1999 Château Palmer 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    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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Flight 6 (1 Note)

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