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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
One surprise after another
Château Palmer 1934 92 p.
I had purchased this wine blind in London. An 18-bottle lot of unidentified wine had been up for auction at Winebid. According to the seller, they were very likely from Bordeaux with a 1930s vintage. Due to this uncertainty, the price was temptingly low. When the wines arrived at my home a few weeks later, I hurriedly opened the two bottles that were in the worst condition.
The first bottle I opened was a Leoville-Barton 1934 and the other a Leoville-Las-Cases 1934. The Leoville had completely oxidised and was ruined. The Cases, on the other hand, seemed to be in good condition. The nose of this slightly brownish red Château Leoville-Las-Cases initially smelled like a very musty cellar, but after sitting in a glass for some 30 minutes, the mustiness disappeared and opened to reveal the scent of coffee, spices and dried fruit. In the mouth, however, the wine felt light, simple and modest. This wine had seen its best days decades ago, but it was still drinkable.
None of the bottles following these two provided a positive experience until I opened the second to last bottle. It was also from 1934, but, to my surprise, it was a Château Palmer. This bottle was one of the best looking in the lot. Decanted 20 minutes and let breathe in the glass for around 45 minutes. The wine was very dark in colour. Delicious, intensive and mature taste restored my senses, which had grown numb after tasting so many wines. The mouthfeel was surprisingly intensive, rich and fruit-heavy. The body was nearly as syrupy as a port. Good balance and very elegant character. On the downside, the wine had some harshness and dryness to it, so I couldn't give it top marks. But a very positive and satisfying experience in any case.
