Château Palmer
Château Palmer
Château Palmer took its enduring name in 1814, when British officer Charles Palmer acquired the Médoc property then known through the de Gascq family. Émile and Isaac Pereire bought it in 1853, built the neo-Renaissance château and guided the estate into Bordeaux’s 1855 classification. Thomas Duroux has directed Palmer since 2004, pairing the long view required by a historic Margaux estate with close technical attention to each parcel.
The grand vin and Alter Ego are treated as separate interpretations of the same Margaux ground, not a first wine followed by a conventional second label. Biodynamic trials began in 2009 and expanded across the vineyard from the 2014 vintage; the estate now appears in Demeter France’s certified producer register. That combination of historic stature, two clearly drawn wine identities and a working mixed-farm ecosystem gives Palmer a character that feels deliberate rather than ceremonial.
Château Palmer 2016 Margaux
French Red
Pure and expressive, with black cherry, cassis, blueberry and violet lifted by graphite, crushed stone, anise and subtle oak. Dense and concentrated but remarkably polished, the palate combines vibrant freshness with ripe tannins, savoury mineral detail and a long, poised finish. Still youthful, it benefits from about four hours in a decanter before serving with slow-cooked beef or lamb.
Palmer 2020 Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux
French Red
Violet, rose petal and ripe black cherry lead a vivid, perfumed bouquet. Blackberry and cassis add depth, while baking chocolate, cedar and crushed stone bring measured savoury detail. The palate is fleshy and seamless, with a bright core of dark fruit shaped by fine, powdery tannins and lively acidity. Fresh and expansive, it closes with berries, flowers and a long mineral finish.
Château Palmer 2018 Margaux
French Red
Dense and powerful, with plum, blackberry, cassis and blueberry layered with graphite, scorched earth, mint, tobacco and mocha. The palate is richly concentrated yet maintains fresh acidity, ripe tannins and a velvety texture, carrying its dark fruit through a long mineral finish. Still youthful, it benefits from about four hours in a decanter before serving with roast duck or beef.
Château Palmer 2017 Margaux
French Red
Aromatic and finely shaped, with black cherry, blackberry and cassis joined by violet, anise, rose hip, tea and a discreet earthy note. Medium-bodied and silky, the palate combines ripe, smooth tannins with bright acidity, mineral freshness and impressive mid-palate intensity. The finish is long and elegant; decant for about three hours and serve with beef or roast lamb.