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 2018 Chateau Palmer is a Bordeaux Blend hailing from the Margaux sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This vintage has garnered widespread acclaim from various reviewers, with scores consistently in the high 90s, attesting to its exceptional quality.

James Suckling awarded it a score of 98, highlighting its "complex nose of black cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate and floral undertones with perfume-like character." He commends its "elegant palate with structure," noting that it is "savory and balanced, complex and layered," finishing with a long, lingering note. Suckling suggests trying this wine after 2024.

Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss gave it an even higher score of 99, describing it as "dense" and "almost black in color." Voss mentions its "tannins and luscious black fruits," emphasizing its impressive concentration and intensity. He recommends drinking this wine from 2028, noting that it is both organic and biodynamic.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also scored it 98, describing it as "very deep garnet-purple in color" and noting its "blackberry preserves, crème de cassis and blueberry pie" aromas. She praises its "layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and exotic spices," calling it "an amazingly beautiful beast of a wine."

Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider gave a perfect score of 100, calling it "inky dark in color" and "fully opaque." He describes it as "incredibly concentrated, fresh, vibrant, lively, opulent, and refined," with a texture of "silk and velvet." Leve emphasizes its "violet infused, earthy, deep perfume" and a finish that "exceeds the 60 second mark."

Decanter's review, also scoring it 100, praises its "beautifully rich nose" and "intense and concentrated" palate. The reviewer notes its "big bitter chocolate with touches of smoke and grilled cedar," suggesting it needs decades to fully reveal itself.

Jeb Dunnuck, scoring it 99, describes the wine as "a stunning bottle" with a "primordial bouquet of black cherries, mulberries, and blackberries." He notes its "full-bodied richness" and "mouthcoating tannins," suggesting it will reach maturity in 10-15 years.

Vinous' Neal Martin, scoring it 96, describes it as having an "intense bouquet" and a "full-bodied" palate with "very good structure." He notes its "slightly chalky texture" and predicts it will "close down for a few years before really showing what it can do."

Wine Spectator’s J.M. gave it a score of 98, noting its "remarkably concentrated" nature and "waves of cassis, plum reduction and warmed cherry preserves." He praises its "vibrant, pure expression" and suggests it is best from 2028 through 2040.

Jane Anson also awarded it a perfect score of 100, calling it "a memorable vintage" with "concentration and precision." She describes its "hints of dried fruit character" and "layer upon layer" of flavors, suggesting it is "unusual, and beautiful."

Finally, The Wine Independent’s 97-point review describes it as having a "deep garnet purple color" with "opulent scents of blackberry pie" and a "rich, and seductive" palate.

Overall, the 2018 Chateau Palmer is a highly celebrated wine, praised for its complex flavors, impressive structure, and long aging potential.