The 2010 Chateau Palmer is a Bordeaux blend from the esteemed Margaux region in France, produced by Chateau Palmer. This red wine, sealed with a cork closure, boasts an alcohol content of 14.5%, indicative of its robust nature. The wine has garnered significant praise from critics, with several excellent reviews highlighting its unique characteristics and aging potential.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine 96 points, noting its "deep garnet color" and a nose that reveals "warm cassis, baked plums, and boysenberries" along with "candied violets, star anise, and dried bay leaves." The palate is described as "generously fruited, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long."
James Suckling gave an outstanding review with 98 points, praising the wine's "purity of fruit with plum and dark chocolate undertones" and "ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish." He described it as "very fine indeed" and recommended trying it in 2020.
Jeff Loo from JJ Buckley also rated it 96 points, highlighting the blend composition of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot. He described the wine as having "aromas of mineral, mocha, plum, boysenberry, and pepper," with a full-bodied palate offering "fine grain tannins and good acidity." He noted the wine's "record level of alcohol at 14.5%" and suggested it needs "at least 6-8 years in bottle."
Wine Spectator also awarded 96 points, describing the wine as "riveting" with "terrific tarry grip" and layers of "smoldering bay leaf, warm plum confiture, freshly brewed espresso, and dark cassis." The review emphasized its "ironclad structure" and predicted it will be "electric once mature."
Vinous, giving another 96 points, noted the wine's "intense and multifaceted bouquet" featuring "black cherries, boysenberry, crushed violets, and hints of cassis." They highlighted its "supple tannins" and "complex, marine-tinged finish."
Wine Enthusiast awarded 97 points, describing the wine as "generous and opulent" with a "long-lived future." It praised the wine's "concentrated and complex" nature, with "dark tannins and a brooding, dense texture."
Decanter rated it 98 points, calling it "one of the great years of Bordeaux," with a "depth of structure and muscular concentration." They noted its "primary black and blue fruits" and "grippy tannic structure."
Jeff Leve gave 97 points, highlighting "compelling aromatics" and a "texture of pure silk and velvet." He described it as "refined, polished, soft, fresh, and elegant," with a finish that lingers for "close to 40 seconds."
Jane Anson, also awarding 98 points, described it as "inky purple in color" with a "rich and velvety texture." She noted flavors of "dark chocolate and orange zest" and praised its "mouthwatering acidities" and "sculpted, intense, and concentrated" nature.
Overall, the 2010 Chateau Palmer is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its complex flavors, aging potential, and robust structure.