CHATEAU PALMER 3eme Grand Cru Classe, Margaux 2022 Bottle
Red Still Wine | France | Bordeaux | Margaux | 75cl
£349.95 / £2,099.70 case
ABV: 14.5%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Margaux
Wine Style: Full Bodied
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Description
The 2022 Château Palmer is an exceptional wine, receiving high acclaim from notable critics. James Suckling awarded it 98-99 points, praising its sophisticated bouquet of dark fruit, spices, and a full-bodied, weightless palate with persistent tannins and salty undertones. Wine Enthusiast also rated it 98 points, highlighting its power and rich tannins alongside an impressive black coffee aroma, suggesting it should be enjoyed starting in 2028. Vinous awarded it 97 points for its delicate aromatic delineation and vibrant black fruit, noting the wine's precision and linear finish that defy expectations from an unusually warm vintage. Decanter rated it 97 points, emphasising its energetic expression, focus, and rich texture, while The Wine Advocate praised its sensual profile and vivid flavours, indicating its potential to age beautifully until 2055.
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 - 98-99 Points
"So much class in the nose with a sophisticated kaleidoscope of dark fruit such as blackcurrants, and spices such as salt and pepper, as well as cloves and nutmeg. Full-bodied. Compacted and dense yet weightless. It opens beautifully. The tannins go on and on with wonderful presence. Salty undertones."
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THE WINE ADVOCATE - 97 Points
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Drink Date: 2030 - 2055
"Thomas Duroux and his team opted to wait to pick the 2022 Palmer in pursuit of full maturity, taking advantage of the resilience of the estate's terroirs, and they have followed up with a brilliantly executed élevage that has retained pure, vivid flavors despite the wine's ripeness and unctuosity. Bursting with aromas of blackberries, crème de cassis, mulberries and violets, it's full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, with a sumptuous core of rich, fleshy fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins, taking on more and more floral nuances as it sits in the glass. This is one of the Médoc's most sensual wines this year."