CHAMPAGNE: With record rainfall in winter, many hours of sunshine in spring and summer and the earliest harvest on record, the 2018 harvest in Champagne was truly unique. Its prematurity, abundant volume, ripeness and wholesomeness have left many growers singing its praises to the harvest. After a wet winter, budburst took place in April, from which time growth was accelerated. The exceptional conditions led to vigorous vegetative growth and a...
The 2018 vintage of Palmer’s flagship Grands Terroirs is an opulent, brilliantly structured, and multi-dimensional Champagne that masterfully reflects one of the warmest, most generous growing seasons of the decade. In the glass, it presents a deep, shimmering golden straw color with a remarkably steady, fine-beaded, and energetic mousse.
The bouquet is instantly striking and beautifully expressive, leading with an intense, sunny array of yellow stone fruits—succulent peach, apricot, and poached pear. As it opens up, the nose reveals the house's signature complex autolytic depth, unfurling rich layers of freshly baked buttery brioche, toasted hazelnuts, almond paste, and warm citrus peel. Subtle background nuances of white acacia flowers and a touch of light honeyed spice add an elegant, sophisticated frame.
On the palate, the wine delivers a substantial, full-bodied presence with marvelous volume and a creamy, velvety texture. The equal components of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from elite crus show flawless integration; the rich, fleshy depth of the Pinots provides weight and structure, while the Chardonnay imparts a laser-like freshness and chiseled limestone tension. Despite the inherent warmth of the 2018 vintage, the palate remains lively, cut by a vibrant, tonic vein of grapefruit acidity and a distinct, lip-smacking saline mineral undertow. It tapers into an extraordinarily long, broad, and deeply satisfying finish that echoes with savory notes of light caramel, roasted nuts, and dried orchard fruits.
Drinking Window:
Thanks to extended cellar aging in Palmer's deep chalk cellars, this bottle is already showing magnificent harmony and is highly rewarding to drink now. However, its superb phenolic density and balanced structure guarantee a fantastic evolution over the next 15+ years. Peak drinking window: 2026–2040
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