The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Wine Description
The Story
Vintage after vintage, the wines of Château Palmer express our vision of an exceptional wine. We believe that it is born of the mysterious trilogy – terroir, history, memory – and all of our efforts are concentrated on bringing it into the world. Distinction, high standards and commitment are the values that guide every choice we make from the vineyard to the table where the wine is served.
Knowing
Knowing your terroir, your grapes, and your wines – this is a threefold enterprise of patient observation. What seems to be a given is in fact a matter of exacting standards at every moment. To know the terroir you have to become intimately familiar with it. We strive to know the grape variety, subsoil, and exposure of each and every plot but also of each and every row within the plot, as we regard every vine as a unique individual. To know our grapes well, we closely monitor their development until maturity. To know our wines, we taste the batches, the vats, the barrels, and the bottles again and again.
Understanding
Progress in œnology has provided us with insight into the development of wines. Progress in agronomy has given us a better understanding of the life of our vineyards. This makes for more precision in our interventions as much in the winery as in the vineyards. Applying the best technical innovations in a spirit of reconciliation between science and craftsmanship, we use all relevant means to reveal the unique character of the Palmer terroir with each new vintage.
Creating
With the grapes that nature offers us, our job is to create the best possible wine. Is this craftsmanship or artistry? No doubt both. Like skilled craftspeople that love their trade, we select and blend the batches with meticulous care. And like artists, we let ourselves be swept away by the work that is born, as it imposes itself upon our will, surprises, amazes and transcends us.
Kindling desire
Ultimately our goal is to make Château Palmer wines as desirable as can be. To achieve this, everything we do, whether we work in the vineyard, the winery, or in the offices, is informed by high standards and a sense of detail Nothing is left to chance, not the choice of paper for a label, or that of an etching for the wood crates, or of a theme for a reception.
Wine Information
In 1814, Charles Palmer (1777-1851), Major General in the British army, bought a wine property from the Gascq family on which he was to leave his name.
The story of Charles Palmer's acquisition of the estate relies as much on a tale of amorous intrigue as on historical truth. A gentleman, officer and aide-de-camp to the Prince de Galles, Charles Palmer was known at the English Court for his female conquests and his military victories. The Napoleonic era was drawing to a close when Palmer arrived in France in 1814 with the future Duke of Wellington. It was on a trip by stagecoach across the country that he met Marie de Gascq, a young widow looking to sell her wine property in the Médoc. Madame de Gascq did not hesitate to compare her estate to Lafite-Rothschild. By the end of the trip, persuaded as much by her arguments as by her charm, Charles Palmer had become the owner of the estate. Palmer was a passionate man and he invested a great deal of time, energy and money to develop his property. Between 1816 and 1831, he purchased land and buildings in the communes of Cantenac, Issan, and Margaux. By the 1830s, his property covered 163 hectares, 82 hectares of which were vineyards.
The Major General lived mainly in England, leaving the day-to-day running of his estate to a Bordeaux wine dealer, Paul Estenave, and an estate manager Jean Lagunegrand.
He, in the meantime, undertook to get his wine known and appreciated by his fashionable relations in society and at the English Court. Thanks to his adeptness and his charm, “Palmer's Claret,” as it was called, quickly gained popularity in London clubs and even found favor in the eyes of the future King George IV. But Palmer was living the fast life and by 1843 he found himself forced to sell his estate. Notwithstanding this ultimate lack of success, Palmer remained the man who posterity would say had laid the foundations of excellence and prestige of the estate that bears his name.
Vintage 1900
The legendary 1900 !
The 1900 vintage in Bordeaux holds a unique place in this history, marked by a combination of factors that contributed to the character of the wines produced.
Weather Conditions: The weather conditions in Bordeaux during the 1900 growing season played a significant role in shaping the vintage. The year began with a mild winter, followed by a warm and dry spring. However, summer brought challenges, with cooler and wetter conditions than usual. These conditions persisted throughout the growing season, resulting in a late and challenging harvest.
Bordeaux 1900 Reds: The red wines of Bordeaux from the 1900 vintage have achieved legendary status among collectors and wine enthusiasts. These wines are known for their exceptional aging potential and complexity.
Appearance: The 1900 Bordeaux reds typically exhibit a deep garnet-red color with brick-red or amber hints, reflecting their considerable age.
Nose: On the nose, the 1900 Bordeaux reds offer an array of captivating aromas, including dried fruits, tobacco, cedar, leather, and hints of earthy notes. The aromatic complexity is a hallmark of this vintage.
Palate: In the mouth, the 1900 Bordeaux reds are characterized by their remarkable depth, concentration, and structure. The tannins, while present, have softened over the years, providing a velvety and luxurious mouthfeel. The wines maintain a surprising level of acidity, which contributes to their longevity. Flavors of dried fruits, cassis, and subtle spice nuances intermingle, creating a harmonious and enduring finish.
Overall Impressions: The Bordeaux 1900 vintage is celebrated as one of the finest in the region's history. These wines have aged gracefully and continue to captivate wine enthusiasts with their complexity and character. They are a testament to the exceptional winemaking traditions of Bordeaux and offer a unique opportunity to experience a moment in history through wine.
For collectors and connoisseurs, the 1900 Bordeaux wines represent a pinnacle of excellence in the world of fine wine. While finding bottles from this vintage today can be a challenge due to their rarity, those fortunate enough to taste them are rewarded with a glimpse into the enduring appeal and timeless quality that Bordeaux wines can achieve.
