CHATEAU PALMER 3eme Grand Cru Classe, Margaux 2008 Bottle
Red Still Wine | France | Bordeaux | Margaux | 75cl
£245.00 / £1,470.00 case
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Margaux
Wine Style: Full Bodied
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Description
IN BRIEF
The 2008 Château Palmer has received exceptional acclaim, highlighted by 98 points from James Suckling, who praised its complex aromas of black cherries, blackberries, and dark chocolate, complemented by elegant structure and a long, lingering finish. The Wine Advocate awarded it 95-97 points, recognising its rich, inky colour, sensational density of fruit, and aromas of black fruits, licorice, and barbecue smoke. Decanter rated it 95 points, noting its deep grip of fruit and seamless balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity, indicating that while it is enjoyable now, it will continue to develop. Wine Enthusiast and Vinous both scored it 95 points, highlighting its rich character, polished texture, and impressive elegance, solidifying its reputation as one of the finest wines from Margaux.
A Deeper Dive;
Château Palmer
Château Palmer is located in the commune of Cantenac, just a stone's throw from the village of Margaux. The estate encompasses 66 hectares of vines planted on a plateau composed of gravel, sand, and clay soils that overlook the Gironde estuary. The vineyard consists of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, each at 47%, with 6% dedicated to Petit Verdot. While the average vine age is around 40 years, typical for the region, some vines exceed 70 years, contributing to the wines’ notable richness and complexity, alongside a generous Merlot content and effective biodynamic practices.
Since 2004, the estate has been guided by the dynamic agronomist and oenologist Thomas Duroux, who previously honed his winemaking skills at Ornellaia in Tuscany. Thomas has implemented significant renovations, completely modernising the grape reception area alongside the vat rooms and barrel cellar. Under his direction, the technical team has also started experimenting with biodynamic farming practices, positioning Château Palmer as one of the forefront biodynamic vineyards in Bordeaux. The estate’s portfolio goes beyond its grand vin, including a unique cuvée Alter Ego.
Launched in 1998, Alter Ego is crafted from grapes grown on specific plots with a different blending approach compared to the grand vin. As a result, the estate considers it a distinctive cuvée rather than merely a second wine. Between 2008 and 2013, Château Palmer fully transitioned to biodynamic farming. Beyond the vineyards, the estate boasts a variety of complementary plants and grazing animals, contributing to its diverse ecosystem.
THE WINE ADVOCATE - 95-97 Points
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Drink Date: 2012 - 2042
"The 2008 Palmer, which tips the scales at 13.5% natural alcohol (among the highest achieved at this property), is a blend of 51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot. It is a massively rich wine with an inky/purple color, sensational density of fruit, velvety tannins, a glorious bouquet of black fruits, licorice, incense, and subtle barbecue smoke, a superb, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a fabulous texture and length. With several minutes of swirling, an enticing floral note emerges. The wine’s glycerin and sweetness suggest it will be approachable 3-4 years after bottling, yet keep for three decades or more. It appears to be among the finest Palmers made this decade, rivaling both the 2005 and 2000."
DECANTER - 95 Points
Drinking Window: 2018 - 2032
"This has a deeper grip of fruit, one of the best so far, delivering spades of Margaux typicity and a gorgeous balance of seamlessly linked fruit, tannin and acidity. This is the right time to be drinking this wine, but it will still unfurl further. Flavours of pencil lead, brambly blackberry fruits and a cedar swirl. A gold for me, in a silver vintage."
JAMES SUCKLING - 98 Points
"Complex nose of black cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate and floral undertones with perfume-like character. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins. Elegant on the palate with structure. Savory and balanced, complex and layered. Long finish. Really lingers. This has really evolved into a beautiful white swan after a difficult debut from barrel! Tiny production. only 11 hectoliters per hectare. Try after 2024."