CHATEAU PALMER 3eme Grand Cru Classe, Margaux 2021 Bottle
Red Still Wine | France | Bordeaux | Margaux | 75cl
£295.00 / £1,770.00 case
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Margaux
Wine Style: Full Bodied
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Description
The 2021 Château Palmer has received remarkable acclaim, highlighted by 97 points from Decanter for its fragrant bouquet of purple flowers, blackcurrant, cola, and liquorice. Tasting notes describe a smooth and silky texture, with bright acidity balancing the dense, chalky tannins. Wine Enthusiast also awarded it 97 points, praising its juicy character and aromatic black fruits, complemented by cinnamon spices and plush blackberry flavours, suggesting enjoyment starting in 2028. James Suckling rated it 96-97 points, noting its brightness and clarity, with fine tannins and a long, fresh finish. Vinous awarded it 96 points for its density and power, showcasing black cherry and mocha. The Wine Advocate gave it 95+ points, emphasising its rich, succulent fruit and impressive complexity, confirming its potential for aging.
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.
JAMES SUCKLING - 96-97 Points
"There’s brightness and clarity to this young wine, with blackcurrants, violets, lavender and blackberries. Medium body with a sold core of fruit and a long, fresh finish. Fine tannins. Bright acidity. 56% merlot, 3% petit verdot and 41% cabernet sauvignon. From biodynamically grown grapes."
VINOUS - 96 Points
"The 2021 Palmer is a heady, showy wine. Clay-rich soils yield a Margaux of breadth, power and textural richness. Black cherry, lavender, mocha and dried herbs infuse the 2021 with tons of character. A wine of density and intensity, this is seriously impressive. It is also going to need time to fully blossom. There’s real juiciness from the Merlot, and an exotic quality that suggests it was picked on the later side. The 2021 spent one year in barrel and one year in cask, as is the norm these days here."
DECANTER - 97 Points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at Bordeaux, 30 Nov 2023)
"A showstopper of a wine that offers a fragranced nose of purple flowers, blackcurrant, cola and liquorice. Smooth and silky, this has a gorgeous weight and texture, full and filling, a density of chalky, almost chewy tannins but bright, juicy acidity. Excellent construction, delicately layered but builds to an impressive whole that has such allure on the palate. A joyous wine brilliantly delivered."