Château Palmer 2020

Subtly matured, complex and promising, compact attack, dense development, first-class, ripe tannins, great tension and length; juicy, tonic, immensely fruity, superb.

Aromas of raspberries, cassis and cherries mingle with hints of violets, raw cocoa and truffle in a perfumed bouquet. The 2020 Palmer is a full-bodied, layered and seamless wine that's deep and concentrated, with a vibrant core of beautifully pure and perfumed fruit, lively acids and ultra-refined tannins. This suave yet authoritative Palmer is one of the high points of the vintage.

Nicely packed, with a mix of black currant, plum and blackberry compote flavors at the core, all supported by bay leaf, tobacco and roasted cedar notes. Shows good energy throughout, along with a swath of freshly plowed earth and an underlying hint of cast iron on the finish, providing range and character. Just misses the tension and drive to be classic. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2029 through 2039. 10,000 cases made.

An irresistible wine from Palmer in 2020, sumptuous and voluptuous, open and appealing yet with all the elements so very carefully set in their place. Rich and evocative on the nose, dark and brooding with softly perfumed violet and rose aromas but it’s the texture that captivates on the palate with soft and seductive velvety tannins that immediately expand in the mouth giving power but also refinement. Mouthwatering and juicy but rich at the same time, so approachable you could drink this right now and just marvel in its nuance, structure and ease - and the oak integration is seamless. I love the liquorice bite and chalky sensation alongside vibrant black fruit though a sense of heat and menthol, liquorice freshness at the finish reminds you this is a serious wine that is built to last. This really carries the Margaux beauty and charm. A long life ahead but once opened this will disappear out of the bottle instantaneously.

Great aromas of blackcurrants, black truffles, blueberries, lead pencil and hints of cedar. Full-bodied and powerful with a fantastic tannin backbone giving it great length and power. Muscular. Toned. Flexing. This needs time. Best after 2028.

The 2020 Palmer is exceptional. Soft, seamless and ample, the Grand Vin caresses the palate with stunning depth and intensity. Super-ripe black cherry, licorice, cloves, menthol and chocolate meld together in the glass. As always, Palmer is made from blocks on gravelly/clay soils (as opposed to the more gravelly/sandy soils for Alter Ego) which gives the wines the breadth and creaminess to match its exotic personality. There is a restrained exuberance here that is so appealing.

Violets, lilacs, and roses vie for their place in the perfume before you find all of its black and red cherries, black currants, blackberries, cigar wrapper, and earthy notes. While the perfume is intoxicating, it is on the palate where the magic happens thanks to its silky, sexy textures and layers of pure, sweet, ripe, delicate yet concentrated fruit. The tannins are the textbook definition of refinement, leaving you with a seamless finish that showcases its purity and sensuality for over 50 seconds. I have a sneaking suspicion that with time, my score is going to rise, as it feels like there is a lot more going on here that is still being held in reserve. Drink from 2027–2065.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, deep core, delicate rim brightening. Fine noble wood touch, some cedar and graphite, black berries, nuances of juniper, a touch of bergamot. Juicy, fine cassis nuances, fresh black cherries, integrated tannins, freshly structured, mineral, cool style, long-lasting, fine savouriness on the finish, has maturity and certain ageing potential, an elegant food companion.

The wine already appears very open and complete, with ripe, unctuous fruit of sweet plum and cassis, some herbaceous sage and mint with tobacco notes. The oak feels very well integrated, and the palate shows impressive polish and definition—rounded and supple, almost a Burgundian texture—yet remaining distinctly Margaux, with great complexity and very long persistence.

The flagship 2020 Château Palmer checks in as 48% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot that's aged one year in 50-60% new barrels before moving to foudre. It's another ripe, sexy, yet incredibly pure wine from this team offering loads of black and blue fruits, some iris flower, spice, iron, and obvious mineral nuances, full-bodied richness, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It's easily one of the most opulent, sexiest wines from the Médoc, and while it's already just about impossible to resist, it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40+ years.

Profound bouquet of black heart cherry, dark graphite and olive paste. On the second nose, chocolate pastille, blackberry jam and damson. On the multilayered palate, ripe extract, dancing verve, a ripe, well-supportive tannic framework, powerful body. In the catapult-like finish, with black-berry contours, dark minerality and Brazil tobacco, an endless aftertaste.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: dense, velvety, deep, complex, creamy bouquet, damson plums, strawberries, cassis, currants, delicate dried-fruit notes, Black Currant. Tightly knit, multi-layered, concentrated palate with dense, dark, creamy fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a finely opulent, well-muscled structure, diverse, powerful aromatics, a very long, dense, aromatic, sweet palate with many lingering flavors.

Dense, velvety, deep, complex, creamy bouquet, damson plums, strawberries, cassis, currants, delicate dried fruit, Black Currant. Tightly knit, multi-layered, concentrated palate with dense, dark, creamy fruit, lots of fine tannins, a subtly opulent, well-muscled structure, diverse, powerful aromatics, a very long, dense, aromatic, sweet finish with plenty of lingering flavors. 19/20 2026 - 2048

Depth and nuance, with striking liquorice, crayon, cigar box and dark chocolate from the first moment. Combines grip and freshness, understated power, a serious yet vivid character to its blue and black fruits, with mint leaf, spiced red pepper, pomegranate, incense and tobacco leaf. Precise, slow and seductive, packed with signature Palmer identity. pH 3.77, 55% of overall production, with 13% press wine. Thomas Duroux, director.

97-98

A sensual, hypnotic nose where blackcurrant aromas vie with the exoticism of a handful of Oriental spices. Incredibly slender, with a very dense palate of dark fruits and an unabashed sensuality, yet showing a truly attentive, open and affable character. Like its younger sibling, it conjures the deep, opaque darkness of the night’s blackest hours, wrapped in an exquisite fabric of Indian silk.

Logo on the capsule: inverted T (Trescases) Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Lovely, highly aromatic nose—refined, floral, pure, and delicately creamy. Hints of violet and ink when swirled. Precise on entry, particularly aromatic mid-palate, very refined in texture, with a velvety body; the wine glides on for a long time over fine tannins. Very beautiful, sappy length.

If finesse is what defines Alter Ego, Palmer stands out for its freshness and complexity. Such precision and breadth, where nuances of peony, chalk, and red berries mingle, complemented by touches of graphite and garrigue. The wine asserts itself clearly on the palate. It creates harmony by combining the creamy, silky side of the tannins with the confident character of the acidic structure. Exceptionally refined, Palmer shines in its ability to project over time, opening windows that evoke salinity and savoriness, while also signaling that patience will be required! The pleasure promised is already a credit in the account dedicated to hedonism. We can anticipate it… then savor it after an extended stay in the cellar!

97–99. Barrel Sample. This wine's floral perfume is matched by generous tannins that surprise by their strength. The fruit flavors offer a mix of black and red berries. They are finely structured and concentrated, balanced by tightly woven acidity. Made from organic and biodynamic grapes.