2003 Chateau Palmer Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
Reg: $399.00
$339.00
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REVIEWS

WE 94 JA 93 W&S 93 WS 92 JS 91
WE 94

Wine Enthusiast, May 2006

With its usual high proportion of Merlot, Palmer 2003 was always going to be a generous, very ripe wine. And so it is proving, but what is so satisfying about the wine at this stage is that the great sweet fruit, which...
JA 93

janeanson.com, December 2021

Intense spice, majoring on smoked earth, pink pepper and black truffle notes, the fruit is softened, heading towards raspberry puree, crème de mure and fig. Plenty of freshness, with orange peel and graphite adding...
W&S 93

Wine & Spirits, October 2006

Light in its touch but lasting, like a sting, Palmer feels precise in '03, ripe but fresh. The wine holds its shape, the texture succulent, with cut. The surface is cool and elegant, with a pretty strawberry tone...
WS 92

Wine Spectator, January 2018

Warm tar and roasted alder notes form the frame, with the core showing mulled currant, fig and blackberry fruit flavors. A strong tobacco hint strides through the finish, showing a tug of warm earth. Presents a lightly...
JS 91

jamessuckling.com, May 2012

So much milk chocolate and dark fruits on the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy, almost dusty tannins. Some might call it a little coarse on the palate. It needs some more time, but turns to loads of milk chocolate on the...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Margaux
Vintage 2003
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 12.5%
Closure Cork

Chateau Palmer, classified a Third Growth Bordeaux, is in the commune of Cantenac, the heart of the Margaux appellation.

The Palmer vineyards, originally part of the larger estate of Chateau d’Issan, cover 66 hectares of gravelly soil on terraces overlooking the Garonne River. There are equal amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (47% each). The remainder is Petit Verdot. From 2014 forward, the entire property has been farmed biodynamically.

Chateau Palmer is named after Major General Charles Palmer of the British Army, who bought the estate in 1814 from Marie de Gascq. A passionate man, he invested a great deal of time, energy and money to develop his property, purchasing land and buildings in the communes of Cantenac, Issan, and Margaux, and by the 1830s, his property covered 163 hectares, 82 hectares of which were vineyards. “Palmer's Claret” quickly gained popularity in London clubs and even found favor in the eyes of the future King George IV.

Charles sold the estate in 1843. The current owners, the Sichel and Mahler-Besse families, have been in place since 1938. Their focus throughout has been on authenticity, quality and consistency.

Finesse and elegance, typical of the great wines of Margaux, are the trademarks of Chateau Palmer. The unusual combination of grape varieties for a classified Left Bank wine–as much Merlot as Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Petit Verdot–gives Chateau Palmer a bouquet of extraordinary complexity, with fruit, flowers, and spice wrapped in a fleshy and generous structure. The subtle balance between aromatic richness and powerful, yet always restrained, tannins makes Palmer charming even when very young.

The grapes are fermented separately by variety and plot in 54 conical, stainless steel vats. The wine then ages 18 to 21 months in French oak barrels, less than 50% new.

Allow me to introduce you to the exquisite 2003 Chateau Palmer, a Bordeaux Blend from France's renowned Margaux region. This wine, with its deep red color, entices the senses with its complex and alluring characteristics. Uncorking a bottle of Chateau Palmer is like unlocking a treasure trove of flavors and aromas that captivate even the most discerning palates.

On the nose, the 2003 Chateau Palmer reveals an intoxicating bouquet of warm tar and roasted alder notes. As the wine opens up, mulled currant, fig, and blackberry fruit flavors emerge, enveloping the senses with their richness and depth. A distinct tobacco hint gracefully strides through the finish, accompanied by a subtle tug of warm earth. This wine's accessibility is highlighted by its lightly cooked edge, a characteristic typical of the vintage.

Renowned publications have showered this vintage with praise, and it's easy to see why. Wine Spectator awarded it an impressive score of 92, praising its accessibility and recommending enjoyment through 2025. Wine Enthusiast bestowed a remarkable score of 94, noting the wine's generous nature and great sweet fruit that practically leaps out of the glass. James Suckling, another esteemed critic, awarded it 91 points, describing an enticing nose filled with milk chocolate and dark fruits. The wine's full-bodied palate and dusty tannins add depth and complexity, leading to a finish laden with milk chocolate notes. Wine & Spirits also lauded this vintage, bestowing it with a score of 93. They commended its precision, succulent texture, and impressive tautness, predicting it will age well for 15 to 20 years. Finally, Jane Anson, a respected wine critic, awarded it 93 points, describing intense spice notes, softened fruit, and plenty of freshness, with a recommended drinking window of at least another decade.

The 2003 Chateau Palmer exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship of this esteemed winery. With its blend of Bordeaux varietals and its meticulous attention to detail, this wine stands as a testament to the unique terroir of the Margaux region. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for further aging, this wine promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that is sure to impress even the most discerning wine connoisseurs.