2010 Chateau Palmer 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux

Chateau Palmer 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux

Colour: Red

Vintage: 2010

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

98+ RP

The 2010 Palmer is one of the superstars of the vintage, a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, which is just slightly different than what I indicated two years ago. The alcohol level hit 14.5%, and the wine comes across like a more stacked-and-packed version of their 2000. It is tannic and backward, but has a sensational black/purple color and a gorgeous nose of camphor, barbecue smoke, blackberry and cassis. Full-bodied, with oodles of glycerin but a relatively healthy pH, this wine has a precision and freshness that belie its lofty alcohol and extravagant concentration. This is a sensationally rich, full-throttle Palmer that could well end up being one of the all-time great wines made at this estate. It needs a good 7-10 years of cellaring and should keep for 50 or more years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013)

Wine Advocate

98 DR

One of the great years of Bordeaux now at 10 years old and showing why this is such an unusual vintage in terms of the depth of structure and muscular concentration that was achieved. In fact, I am upping the drinking window from the last time I tasted this, as there is such a pulse of life and grip that shows no signs of going anywhere. The initial layers are starting to be peeled back, but this retains primary black and blue fruits that are still full of flesh alongside baked earth, tons of liquorice and black chocolate with a grippy tannic structure, fresh acidities and a serious attitude. Brilliant stuff, that is clearly going to power on for decades. Harvest September 22 to October 20. Drinking Window 2022 - 2048
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 27 Aug 2020)
Part of The September releases from Italy and France

Decanter

98 JS

A purity of fruit here with plum and dark chocolate undertones. Spices and treacle tart as well. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. Very fine indeed. Fit, fruity and reserved. Superb. Try in 2020.

– jamessuckling.com, November 2013

James Suckling

971 WL

Quality 968 | Brand 994 | Economics 938 | buzz brand, investment staple
Quality: Predicted life of 14 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 8 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 £65 for the 2010 vintage Production: Lower production than its peer group average of 112,956 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

Wine Lister

97 JL

Compelling aromatics set off by flowers, blackberries, truffle and black licorice. In the mouth, the texture is pure silk and velvet. The wine is refined, polished, soft, fresh and elegant, with a long, sweet, fresh, rich, sensuous finish that remains on your palate for close to 40 seconds. The wine was made from a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 14.5% ABV. tasted May 2013

Jeff Leve

96+ WI

Bright, deep medium ruby. Exotic, expressive nose offers blueberry, black cherry, violet, bitter chocolate, licorice, smoke and spices, with a subtle leather nuance in the deep background. The tightly coiled, penetrating palate offers uncanny density without weight, with dark berry and floral flavors enlivened by deep minerality. A wine of outstanding clarity, energy and class. The extremely long, mounting finish displays serious, ripe tannins that reach the incisors, and great clinging minerality and verve. This extraordinary young Palmer should go on for decades.

Wine Independent

96 NM

The 2010 Palmer has an outgoing, intense and multifaceted bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry, crushed violets and hints of cassis - your quintessential Margaux turned up to eleven. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Headier than its Margaux peers, it builds in the mouth with a complex, marine-tinged finish with cracked black pepper lingering on the aftertaste. This is an outstanding Palmer but it needs more time in bottle. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. April 2020

Neal Martin

96 WS

This is riveting, with terrific tarry grip coursing underneath layers of smoldering bay leaf, warm plum confiture, freshly brewed espresso, dark cassis and well-steeped black tea. The charcoal and tobacco backdrop is gorgeous and should move forward through the core of fruit over time. Be patient though, as the structure is ironclad. This will really be electric once mature. Best from 2017 through 2040. 8,500 cases made.

– James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, March 2013)

Wine Spectator

94-96 MS

3rd Growth Margaux (55% GV, 30.5hl/ha) [54M/40CS/6PV] Lovely ripe, seductive ï¿½red and blackï¿½ fruit; rich, concentrated, well structured Palmer, with a great depth of matter, fresh to lively acidity, deep ripe black fruit and firm, fine tannin; long, pure, flowing wine, very complex, very vital, very fruit cored and very mineral aromatic, a most complete wine with terrific length. A grand, gravelly Palmer; taut, complete, aristocratic, vital, mouthcoatingly intense and yet so light on its feet throughout. Gorgeous wine, exhaustingly good. 2022-40+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2011]

Michael Schuster

Chateau Palmer 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux