April 1, 2024 - This is an often overlooked vintage of Palmer, which is just starting to shine. The nose and palate are first rate with all the typical qualities of a Palmer. However, I find the finish is on the harsher side, and prevents a higher rating, and I am not convinced that this will be resolved with time.
March 28, 2024 - Decanted two hours. This has improved with time and air. This has an amazing nose of red fruit, lead pencil and tobacco. The palate is full to medium bodied showing black current, herbs and smoke with a long finish. This will continue to improve.
March 6, 2024 - Margaux Extravaganza: Margaux vs. Palmer vs. Brane over two decades (1996/2009/2015). Given the pedigree of the vintages, particularly for Chateau Margaux, expectations were quite high, but especially the last two vintages didn't live up to past performances (I've previously rated Ch. Margaux up to 100pts, Ch. Margaux 2015 up to 99pts, and Palmer 2009 98pts) at first. There were some overripe aromas that were too prominent and an uncharacteristic imbalance. Of course, Ch. Margaux and Palmer showed remarkable complexity and precision, but the balance was a bit off. Still, these are some good to great wines, especially on day 2 and with more air they got better and better. Ultimately, Ch. Margaux 2015 (96pts) was the winner with its unique aromatic profile, slightly outperforming the 1996 and 2009 vintages, both at 95pts. Brane and Palmer were a notch or two below, with the Palmer 2015 particularly affected by premature oxidation. I don't doubt the potential of these wines, given the many fine examples I had last year, but I wouldn't open them today.
TN: My first encounter with this vintage. On the positive side, this had a lovely red berry core, with minerality, herbal notes, as well as some smoke and coffee to complement. On the negative side, there were some not so pleasant vegetal notes (not the good kind) and the wine showed quite rustic and even a touch green. 92/93pts.
February 21, 2024 - Evolved nose of blackcurrant, cigar, graphite, cedar and undergrowth. No doubt, the well-born mature Bordeaux is present.
Beautiful palate, on a register combining elegance and finesse. It is true that it is neither the deepest nor the most demonstrative Bordeaux that I have been able to drink, but we quickly understand that it is neither the style nor the goal of this wine to assert itself completely. in power. Silky, textured juice, delicate acidity and gentle complexity between black fruits, cigar, and perfectly integrated wood, we have here a wine of crazy elegance. Beautiful balance which allows the wine to envisage a serene future. Great finish shared between graphite and menthol, which stretches over a nice fresh and sapid length.
Beautiful Bordeaux, what a pleasure!
February 15, 2024 - A wine that makes me understand the note “cigar box”.
The wine is very elegant with these darker notes of cigar box, graphite, blackcurrant and etc.
January 28, 2024 - Mature at the top, cedar, forest, licorice
December 24, 2023 - Old school, mature claret. Wonderful on the nose with evolved cassis, cigar box and forest ground. Nice mouthfeel and refreshing acidity. Long finish.
December 22, 2023 - Light cork
December 16, 2023 - Part of a Margaux appellation mini-vertical and horizontal comparing Margaux, Palmer, Brane Cantenac 1996, 2009 and 2015. The 1996 were double-decanted prior to the tasting while some of the 2015 spent time in the decanter. Unsurprisingly, Margaux came in first in all 3 vintages, Palmer in the middle and Brane last, expect in 2015 where I think we might have hit a bad bottle for Palmer. 1996 is coming along beautifully and appears to be in its prime drinking window while 2009 took a steep step down from its 10-years state a few years ago. For now, the 2015 appear to manage the concentration better (although Palmer was disappointing).
Tasting note:
Black cherry fruit accompanying notes of leather, black chocolate, a whiff of menthol and Maggia herbs. High-octane palate, felt slightly overpowered with lingering tannin, in hiding at first but popping up in a slightly drying fashion into the finish. Otherwise a nicely dense texture. Similar to Margaux 2009, this appeared to be spiraling downwards from 3-4 years ago.
December 16, 2023 - Part of a Margaux appellation mini-vertical and horizontal comparing Margaux, Palmer, Brane Cantenac 1996, 2009 and 2015. The 1996 were double-decanted prior to the tasting while some of the 2015 spent time in the decanter. Unsurprisingly, Margaux came in first in all 3 vintages, Palmer in the middle and Brane last, expect in 2015 where I think we might have hit a bad bottle for Palmer. 1996 is coming along beautifully and appears to be in its prime drinking window while 2009 took a steep step down from its 10-years state a few years ago. For now, the 2015 appear to manage the concentration better (although Palmer was disappointing).
Tasting note:
Aging notes of tobacco and leather, a rather darker fruit of cherries and blueberries. Smoky notes, char coal and vegetal aromas. Extracted at point, marginally brett-like notes. The palate with still a bit of grit on the texture, but tannins otherwise well integrated. A somewhat unclean finish, maybe slightly rustic even. Strong, but probably needs more time.