March 28, 2024 - Lots of brett on opening that subsided over time and got significantly better in the glass. I've had better expressions of this estate relative to my palate.
January 24, 2024 - Paired with a beef short rib with demi. This was expressive, with some pen ink and volatility, along with tobacco leaf. Entering its zone, but by no means the most opulent vintage of Palmer.
November 3, 2023 - Good wine, I messed up not pairing it with anything. Would have been ideal with a steak. It was tougher than the typical Bordeaux with lots of texture in the body, tannins were chewy.
October 31, 2023 - Bordeaux 2000 & 2001 Horizontal (Piccolino, Exchange Square, London): Very different to other Palmers I've enjoyed over the years, not in a bad way just feels a little less feminine than some. There is a beefiness here with some lemongrass top notes. Some florality too but a bit more reticent that with others I've sampled. Palate is taught savoury and youthful. Perhaps of the trio the one earliest in its drinking window.
October 31, 2023 - Neil's 2000 & 2001 Bordeauxs (Piccolino, London): Immediately herbal on the nose, some curry and tobacco leaf, a bit of mint, it is a totally different profile to the other wines and whilst it might not have the wow factor of the Figeac it is extremely compelling. Very elegant, light and quite lean but not in a stretched way - this is in perfect balance, the finesse of Margaux really does show up. I really liked this, I tend to enjoy wines on the bluer or cooler spectrum, and so this was an early candidate for my WOTN.
October 31, 2023 - Neil’s 2000/01 Bordeaux @ Piccolino: Mid ruby to deep garnet. Richer and denser on the nose, recognisably Palmer. A little fresher and dare I say it, leaner on the attack. Some coolness to the fruit. Picks up depth and a touch of gravitas with air, but a minor key cf the great vintages. ****
July 6, 2023 - A captivating bouquet leads to a medium bodied palate with slightly out of balance acidity. This delicious food wine gets plumper and creamier with a little air, thankfully softening the at-first-angular graphite, cherry, licorice, iodine, and earl grey notes. My impression may be skewed by having only given this an hour in the decanter, but I don’t see any reason to wait on these. Now-2038.
May 20, 2023 - We enjoyed this wine along with a tasting of Bordeaux from the last century. We had 2 1964's, a 1979, 1980 and 1986. This wine from just after the turn of the century was a nice contrast to the older wines with great fruit and brightness. This was my last bottle of this vintage, I wish I had more!
May 4, 2023 - From a magnum. Absolutely at peak. Dusty red and black cherry notes, gentle and persistent, but the secondary elements of spice, tea leaves and saddle leather really resonate. The oak seems to have fully integrated. Smooth, sweet tannins on the lengthy finish. Bravo.
April 25, 2023 - Decanted into narrow decanter 3 hours ahead of time. Served at 17C. Little graphite or bouquet at opening but not closed-likely due to lower temperature at opening. Circa 1 hour of double decant/decant into narrow decanter would likely be sufficient or open and drink at leisurely pace. Although got to appropriate temp quickly, serve next bottle at 18/19C where wine and bouquet are more expressive. Lighter and less black berry fruit forward than last bottle; more nuanced and delicate balance of structure and fruit—graphite, berry, light earthy notes. Delicate but intriguing bouquet. I was surprised how much less powerful it was than last bottle. World class. It was very appreciated by all. Served with lamb, which was excellent pairing.