Palmer's hallmark elegance is still present in this wine, despite the problems of the vintage. The nose is poised and lifted, with refined blackcurrant and oak aromas. Although medium-bodied, it's quite fleshy and concentrated, with a tannic backbone to give some structure. Balanced and long, this is a Margaux that acknowledges the limitations of the year and overcomes them. Full organic certification was achieved over the three vintages following this one.

Palmer's hallmark elegance is still present in this wine, despite the problems of the vintage. The nose is poised and lifted, with refined blackcurrant and oak aromas. Although medium-bodied, it's quite fleshy and concentrated, with a tannic backbone to give some structure. Balanced and long, this is a Margaux that acknowledges the limitations of the year and overcomes them. Full organic certification was achieved over the three vintages following this one. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2028
Tasted by: Stephen Brook (at London, 02 Feb 2023)
Part of Bordeaux 2013: 10 years on & 30 wines tasted

Dark red cherry, plum, cloves and menthol wrap around the palate in the 2013 Palmer, a wine that impresses for its richness and resonance, within the context of the year, of course. The 2013 is a very pretty Palmer that should drink well early. Violets, flowers and cassis notes linger on the gentle, perfumed finish. The blend is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Merlot.

(51% cabernet sauvignon and 49% merlot; 33% selection for the grand vin; 25 hl/ha): Ruby-red; obviously much darker than the Alter Ego. Deep aromas of ripe black cherry, cedar and cocoa. Then rich, dense and suave on the palate, with an almost unctuous quality and terrific persistence to the pure blackcurrant, flint and floral flavors. Smoothly tannic and very pure, this is an absolutely memorable Palmer, especially in the context of the vintage. "A Palmer without merlot is not a Palmer," says Duroux, who chose not to eliminate too much of the merlot from the final blend; one gets the feeling all the dilute stuff went into the Alter Ego.

The use of new oak was also cut back in order to emphasize the fruit aspects of the wine. Consequently, the 2013 Palmer is an easygoing, fruit-forward, fresh, pure wine with no vegetal characteristics or astringent tannins. This opaque purple-colored, medium-bodied, plush 2013 preserves some of its Margaux typicity even in this tough vintage. Drink it over the next decade. Palmer’s administrator, Thomas Duroux, realized that 2013 was going to be a year requiring huge amounts of labor and a draconian-like selection. Only 3,800 cases of 2013 Palmer were produced from a blend of 49% Merlot and 51% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Unusual richness on the nose. Sweet palate entry and almost massaged texture. Whereas the Rauzan-Ségla seems to spring from the vineyard, this seems perhaps to owe its attraction to what happened in the cellar – but I may of course be 100% wrong! Lightish body and tea-leaf flavour. Tannins much in evidence on the drying end. (JR)

Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Inviting mix of dark fruit and restrained oak on the nose. But the acidity and the tannins combine to be rather harsh on the palate. Tough finish. (JH)