Chateau Palmer 2020

Tasting Note Chateau Palmer 2020

Aromas of dark plum and black currant are accompanied by undertones of cedar and dried flowers. At the base, notes of leather and graphite, hallmarks of Palmer, unfold. On the palate, it offers a rich and luxurious flavor; while the tannins are abundant, they are polished to a satin-like smoothness without any harshness. The finish is long and lingering.  This is a wine where power is enveloped in sophistication.

Grape Varieties

The 2020 vintage of Château Palmer is composed of the following blend:

• 48% Merlot
• 48% Cabernet Sauvignon
• The remainder is Petit Verdot

Such an even blend ratio is rare among Médoc classified growths, where the Cabernet variety typically accounts for the overwhelming majority. The Merlot, grown in gravelly-clay soil, imparts richness to the wine; the Cabernet, grown in gravelly soil, provides structure; and the Petit Verdot contributes nuances reminiscent of dark spices.

Cellaring Potential

The optimal drinking window is from 2027 to 2060. Due to its high tannin content and correspondingly intense fruitiness, the wine requires at least 7 to 8 years of bottle aging to fully develop its flavor profile. For younger bottles, decanting for 2 hours is recommended. Serve at 16-18 °C.

About Chateau Palmer

Château Palmer is classified as a Third Growth, and almost nobody in Margaux treats it that way. Merchants have long placed its top wines among the best in Bordeaux, and it is regularly named as the closest rival to its First Growth neighbour. Part of the reason sits in the vineyards, spread across Cantenac, Issan and Margaux on plots long considered among the appellation's finest. Part sits in the blend: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in nearly equal shares (53 and 40 percent in 2005, 50 and 44 in 2015), with a little Petit Verdot. That is unusual for a classified Médoc estate. So is the farm. Sheep graze the property, a grower tends vegetables on site, and the produce is cooked at the estate cafeteria where vineyard workers eat. Two wines, Château Palmer and Alter Ego, from the same terroir. And a Historical, with syrah.

Terroir & Climate

Palmer's vines are not concentrated in a single parcel. They are spread across Cantenac, Issan, and Margaux, parcels that have long been considered among the finest in this appellation. The soil is predominantly gravel; because gravel drains quickly, it encourages Cabernet Sauvignon's roots to grow deep and slows the rate of ripening. In areas where sand and clay predominate, Merlot expresses its characteristics most fully; consequently, Château Palmer carries a higher proportion of Merlot than most Médoc classified growths. The nearby Gironde stores the summer's heat and releases it again in the fall.

Winemaking

Biodynamic farming was introduced around the 2014 vintage, marking a distinctly different approach for this Grand Cru-rated winery. In the cellar, a restrained approach is taken. After aging for one year in oak barrels (more than half of which are new), the wine is transferred to foudres (large oak vats) to gently refine the oak flavors. The amount of sulfur added during bottling is kept to a minimum. The entire process is guided by the principle of texture over intensity, and this is precisely the flavor profile that Château Palmer delivers.

Food Pairing

Beef is a natural pairing, and Médoc is well aware of this. When Côte de Boeuf is grilled over grapevines or used in stews, the fat helps mellow the tannins. Roasted lamb with garlic pairs well based on the same principle. Game birds complement the wine's leathery, spicy aromas. Furthermore, for bottles that have been aged longer, dishes featuring truffles or porcini mushrooms harmonize with the wine's complex bouquet.