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.

The 2017 Chateau Palmer, a Bordeaux blend from the prestigious Margaux region of France, is a wine of captivating complexity and grace. On pouring, the wine's deep garnet-purple color hints at its depth and intensity. The bouquet is precise and intellectual, with pronounced notes of blackcurrant cordial, warm plums, and blackberry preserves. These are beautifully interlaced with hints of cedar chest, pencil shavings, and violets, along with the exotic wafts of sandalwood and cassia, promising a multi-dimensional tasting experience.

On the palate, this medium-bodied wine offers a stunningly vibrant expression of crunchy black fruits. The texture is firm, yet supple, with ripe, grainy tannins and a fresh, energetic acidity. Layers of mocha, spice, leather, and licorice gradually reveal themselves, adding to the wine's complexity. The finish is notably long and mineral-laced, leaving a lingering impression of its serious, concentrated intensity.

Despite its current austerity, this wine possesses a youthful exuberance that will undoubtedly evolve over time. Experts suggest allowing it a good 5-7 years in the bottle to truly blossom and reveal its tightly wound nuances. Once it has reached its prime, the 2017 Chateau Palmer is expected to be a stunner, a very fine example of a Bordeaux blend, with a sense of place and a purity to its fruit expression that is simply remarkable.

This wine, with its 13.0% alcohol content, is sealed with a cork, preserving the wine's youthful vibrancy and ensuring its potential for long-term aging. The 2017 Chateau Palmer, with its impressive scores from renowned wine critics, is a testament to the winemaking prowess of the Chateau Palmer estate, and an excellent representation of the elegance and finesse that French Bordeaux wines are celebrated for.