Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the 2005 Château Palmer is a legend in the making. Apparently the vines received 57% less rain than average, yet the 2005 shrugs off any water deficiency and has nurtured a wondrously pixelated bouquet, whereby mineralité shines through the black cherry and blueberry fruit. Search deeper and you discover veins of graphite that impart a Pauillac-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied and intense, but it is not overwhelming, a Margaux that is galvanized with a firm backbone thereby ensuring this will age over the long term. The symmetry here is enthralling - a 2005 that is destined for greatness. The only question is whether it will surpass the 2009 or 2010 Palmer? It will be fun finding out. Tasted May 2015. Drink: 2022 - 2050.

– eRobertParker.com, May 2016

Dark red, narrow bricking rim; subtle, restrained, still reserved, crisply fruity and fine nose, still young; a fine, youthful, full, fleshy, concentrated, firmly tannic balance; a fairly big wine for Margaux and for Palmer; rich, generous, ample and alluring with a great concentration of ripe fruit; juicy, complex, subtle and seductive, all within its still firm tannic frame, with a prolonged fruit fragrance, and touch of alcoholic warmth on the finish. Large scale, powerful Palmer, but with great finesse all the same. 2025-45

Enticing ruby red body, with aromatics that show a touch of orange zest and turmeric spice. The fruit is creamy, intense, a brilliant Palmer that has finesse and balance but a serious kick. Black pepper, cinammon, raspberry, bilberry fruits, smoked earth and campfire on the finish, so juicy, totally salivating with a slate-textured close of play. Delicious, and a great sign that the 2005 vintage is starting to swing open. Harvest September 22 to October 7, 60% new oak. A long dry summer, with 57% less rainfall than usual, although temperatures never climbed as high as in 2003. Impossible to stop smiling after this. Drink 2021 - 2045
Tasted Dec 2021 - Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux