2005 Chateau Palmer 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux

Chateau Palmer 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux

Colour: Red

Vintage: 2005

Region: Bordeaux, Margaux

Chateau Palmer, a distinctive turreted chateau, is situated adjacent to Bordeaux's Route du Vin, located in the middle of the tiny village of Issan. Palmer is a classified third growth and is certainly the top estate of the Margaux appellation after the first growth of its namesake - indeed matching it on occasion. Over generations Palmer has engendered an affection other Bordeaux names can only dream of. The somewhat inconsistent wines of the past are now gone, with serious investment in research and development in both vineyards and cellars with in-house scientists and technicians on the payroll. This ethos also extends to a rigorous pursuit of sustainable farming with 15 Bordelaise cows and 20 Landais sheep, rare local breeds, roaming the estate’s pastures as nutrients for the soil and ruminants for the grass. Now fully biodynamic, the strict adherence to which means running (and accepting) the risk of losing significant proportions of a difficult harvest, Chateau Palmer continues to carve a unique place in Bordeaux’s hierarchy in terms of global recognition as well as quality, constantly challenging the First Growths’ hegemony.

Tasting Notes and Scores

99 JL

Another fabulous showing for this stunning wine. Sensuous, silky, fresh, pure and concentrated, this supple textured, heavily perfumed, silky, pure, rich, cashmere, refined wine can be enjoyed now and over the next 2-3 decades! Tasted June 2021

Jeff Leve

98 RP

Its bigger sister, the 2005 Château Palmer (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot), is one of the great efforts of this superlative vintage. Floral notes mixed with blackberry, cassis, plum, licorice and spring flowers soar from the glass of this dense ruby/purple wine. It is medium to full-bodied, surprisingly opulent (it has a big percentage of Merlot), long, multi-dimensional and textured. This wonderfully pure, stunning wine once again performs as a first-growth. It should drink well for the next 20-25 years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #219, Jun 2015)

Wine Advocate

972 WL

Quality 963 | Brand 994 | Economics 954 | buzz brand, investment staple
Quality: Predicted life of 21 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group for the 2005 vintage, which averages 11 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 43 of the world's top wine lists, including De Librije Economics: Above its peer group average price of £68 for the 2005 vintage Production: Lower production than its peer group average of 112,956 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

Wine Lister

97 NM

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

Neal Martin

94+ MS

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

Michael Schuster

100 DR

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

Decanter

Chateau Palmer 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux