x
  • Country ranking ?

    101
  • Producer ranking ?

    5
  • Decanting time

    5h
  • When to drink

    from 2020
  • Food Pairing

    Beef Goulash and Wide Egg Noodles

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95-97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate / The 2010 Palmer, which is 50% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Sauvignon except for 6% Petit Verdot, is a huge, inky/purple-colored wine with notes of camphor, incense, blackberry, espresso roast, and subtle barbecue smoke. Extremely full-bodied and unbelievably powerful (14.5% natural alcohol, but with a rather standard pH of 3.75), this wine is going to be one of the great classics ever to emerge from this iconic chateau. It is extremely tannic, but the tannins are eclipsed by the extravagant concentration of fruit, unctuosity, and density of this wine. This will be a Chateau Palmer to put away for 10 years and drink over the following 40+.

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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. 

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Wine Information

Back-to-back very great vintages are hardly a frequent occurrence. In terms of quality, 2010 benefited from exceptionally favourable weather, like the 2009 vintage.

Thanks to these particularly favourable conditions, we were able to take our time in order to pick each plot at peak ripeness. In fact, the 2010 harvest was the longest in Château Palmer’s recent history.
Although the alcoholic degree is very high, like in 2009, the acidity synonymous with freshness - and tannic concentration are greater, making for wines with an extremely solid foundation. Their power, combined with a high level of acidity, gives them the potential for becoming benchmarks, and for this to be a legendary vintage. Furthermore, as opposed to previous vintages of the century that are responsible for Bordeaux’s reputation, the ability to choose exactly the right time to pick and perfect control of extraction made it possible to temper the wines’ strength and vigour. They are like a finely cut diamond that, over time, will fully express all the delicacy of Château Palmer’s terroir.
After a late start to the growing season that protected the vines from spring frosts, bud break took place evenly in the month of April. By late May, the size of the potential crop appeared excellent.
However, fertilization was greatly upset by a cold, wet period in June that caused flowering to be very spread out and led to a significant amout of coulure (shot berries), thereby reducing hopes for a large crop.

The weather in July was particularly warm and favourable, eliminating any heterogeneity in the vines after flowering, and véraison (colour change) occurred fairly quickly. This very beautiful weather - sunny, but not excessively hot, with cool nights - lasted without interruption until the end of the harvest.
The 2010 vintage also had a very marked water deficit that grew as the summer went on. This accounted for even greater phenolic concentration than in 2009 (which was already high), as well as very small berries with astonishing aromatic richness and well-preserved acidity. A few very welcome millimetres of rain in the second week of September (35 mm in Margaux) fortunately speeded up ripening of the skins in certain areas strongly affected by water stress.

Thanks to these particularly favourable conditions, we were able to take our time in order to pick each plot at peak ripeness. In fact, the 2010 harvest was the longest in Château Palmer’s recent history.

Harvest dates: from 09/22/2010 to 10/20/2010

Blend

Merlot: 54%
Cabernet Sauvignon: 40%
Petit Verdot: 6%

Ageing potential

2025-2050++

Tasting

Coming soon

Press Review

IWC, Stephen Tanzer, 07/18/2013
« Bright, deep medium ruby. Exotic, expressive nose offers blueberry, black cherry, violet, bitter chocolate, licorice, smoke and spices, with a subtle leather nuance in the deep background. The tightly coiled, penetrating palate offers uncanny density without weight, with dark berry and floral flavors enlivened by deep minerality. A wine of outstanding clarity, energy and class. The extremely long, mounting finish displays serious, ripe tannins that reach the incisors, and great clinging minerality and verve. This extraordinary young Palmer should go on for decades. »

Wine Spectator, James Molesworth, 03/31/2013
« This is reveting, with terrific tarry grip coursing underneath layers of smoldering bay leaf, warm plum confiture, freshly brewed espresso, dark cassis and well-steeped black tea. The car coal and tobacco backdrop is gorgeous and should move forward through the core of fruit over time. Be patient through, as the structure is ironclad. This will be electric once mature. Best from 2017 through 2040. J.M »

http://www.erobertparker.com, Robert Parker, 03/01/2013
« The 2010 Palmer is one of the superstars of the vintage, a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, which is just slightly different than what I indicated two years ago. The alcohol level hit 14.5%, and the wine comes across like a more stacked-and-packed version of their 2000. It is tannic and backward, but has a sensational black/purple color and a gorgeous nose of camphor, barbecue smoke, blackberry and cassis. Full-bodied, with oodles of glycerin but a relatively healthy pH, this wine has a precision and freshness that belie its lofty alcohol and extravagant concentration. This is a sensationally rich, full-throttle Palmer that could well end up being one of the all-time great wines made at this estate. It needs a good 7-10 years of cellaring and should keep for 50 or more years.

There’s no question that Thomas Duroux and the staff at Palmer are producing wines of first-growth quality, and have been for nearly a decade. »

eRobertParker.com, Neal Martin, 02/14/2013
« Tasted at the château. The Palmer 2010 is much stricter and more linear than the Alter Ego – indeed this year, I think there is quite a difference between the two. Even though the Cabernet is in the minority, it still exerts great influence over the aromatics with blackcurrant, briary and a touch of graphite (rendering it again, quite Pauillac-like in style.) The palate is medium-bodied with a rich, generous opening: black cherries, dates, liquorice and a touch of aniseed. The tannins and slightly chewy at the moment and will need taming with bottle age, whilst the finish is sweet, long and melodramatic. This is a relatively flamboyant 2010 that should age with style. Tasted November 2012. »

Gaultmillau, Pierre Guiguie, 05/24/2011
« Il fait penser à une danseuse étoile élancée à la musculature tendue. Il allie une grande puissance de détente à la grâce d’un mouvement élégant. La texture est de velours avec un très beau relief. »

http://www.bonhams.com, Bonhams, 05/24/2011
« Intense colour, sweet, plummy fruit, aromatic, fresh, ripe tannins, powerful and solid but not extracted »

newbordeaux.blog.co.uk, Jane ANSON, 05/03/2011
« A successful combination of tension and power. The acidity is giving an incredibly balanced feel to what is clearly a huge wine. This has long been the only real contender from an investment point of view to Chateau Margaux in this appellation, and here again proves what a thrilling wine it is. A ratio of 54 per cent merlot, 6 per cent petit verdot and 40 per cent cabernet sauvignon.
Drink 2022-2042. »

www.erobertparker.com, Robert Parker, 05/03/2011
« 2010 Palmer: The 2010 Palmer, which is 50% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Sauvignon except for 6% Petit Verdot, is a huge, inky/purple-colored wine with notes of camphor, incense, blackberry, espresso roast, and subtle barbecue smoke. Extremely full-bodied and unbelievably powerful (14.5% natural alcohol, but with a rather standard pH of 3.75), this wine is going to be one of the great classics ever to emerge from this iconic chateau. It is extremely tannic, but the tannins are eclipsed by the extravagant concentration of fruit, unctuosity, and density of this wine. This will be a Chateau Palmer to put away for 10 years and drink over the following 40+. »

Vinifera, Jacques Perrin, 05/01/2011
« Nez complexe, fumé, d'une très grande beauté, sur les fruits noirs, la réglisse, la pivoine. Le corps est à la fois dense et suave. Irrésistible dans la texture, il s'épanouit en une longue courbe évasée sur une très belle assise, dense et millimétrique. Comme le précise Thomas Duroux, le directeur de la propriété : "Il y avait une opposition forte entre le style du millésime et le style de Palmer, on a pris un temps infini pour trouver l'assemblage!" De la grande orfèvrerie. La synergie fonctionne parfaitement. »

www.jancisrobinson.com, Jancis Robinson, 04/19/2011
« Very dark purple. Amazingly sweet and luscious on the nose. Incredibly sweet and distinctive – pure pleasure at first. Very round and luscious and has massive polish. Incredibly open at this stage – will it close up, I wonder? But underneath, a great stew of tannins lurk..! Great freshness but no leafiness. This is already carrying the Palmer hallmark in spades and its only on the finish that one sees the strong vintage character. Nothing excessive.
Drink 2018-2040 »


Wine Spectator, James Molesworth, 04/18/2011
« This dense red offers a big core of currant, plum and cassis, with lots of buried violet and anise. Really loaded on the back end, this is very muscular, but still velvety. Features saturated fruit on the finish, but stays restrained.
Should be very long-lived. Tasted non-blind. »

www.connectionstowine.com, Panos Kakaviatos, 04/18/2011
« Higher than last year. But pH is lower, from 3.7 in 2009 to 3.55 in 2010. There is a very pure expression of violet, floral, on the nose, the attack is exciting, with even bracing acidity but excellent sap. I cannot detect the varietal nature – 54% Merlot being the highest since 1998, when Palmer contained 55%.
A very successful Palmer. Although I recall being more impressed with the 2009. »

www.winewordsandvideotape.com, Jeremy WILLIAMS, 04/11/2011
« Dense and saturated colour; tight to the rim; quite dense; ripe, cassis and blackcurrants; very layered nose, seam of ripe fruit, very perfumed; lots of depth; deep and layered; good and clean, quite ‘cool’ feel and fresh; concentrated and tannic palate but nicely done; chewy and dense. Lots of life and grip here. 2009 is more flamboyant but this extremely good and not far behind at all. In fact, given time it may be the other way around. Let’s see. Super wine. »

bordeaux-undiscovered.blogspot.com/, Nick STEPHENS, 04/08/2011
« When I saw the majority of Merlot in the blend, after my experiences this week, I thought I was going to be disappointed but far from it. Palmer have produced a lovely First Wine without any evidence of tannins or high alcohol in the mouth. The wine has great power but is full of charm and seduction. Full of black fruits in the mouth and with long length given time I am sure that this will be a superb drinking wine. »

www.thewinecellarinsider.com, Jeff LEVE, 04/08/2011
« 2010 Palmer From an assemblage of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Petit Verdot, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol.
The beautiful, deep, purple color is almost opaque. Floral aromas are complicated with cassis, coffee, smoke, truffle, earth and boysenberry scents which jump from the glass. With intense purity, tannins that feel like hand polished silk and a beautiful, pure, long, harmonious rich finish, there is not a hard edge to be found. This opulent wine is a treat for the senses. »

Cellar Blog, Allan LISKA, 04/07/2011
« The 2010 Chateau Palmer is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 54% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot with 3.60 acidity. The acidity shines through this vintage with a great freshness and very powerful tannins. The final blend for this wine was not determined until March, they needed to maintain the essence of Chateau Palmer while embracing the power of the vintage. »
 

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Vintage 2010

Drought and cool temperatures contribute to optimal ripeness

The sum of summer temperatures in 2010 was close to that of summer 2009 (962°C compared to 982°C), but decidedly chillier than those of 2005, which totalled 1052°C. These cool temperatures had a substantial influence on the balance of our wines, preserving a good level of acidity and attractive aromatic freshness. 

Very little rainfall (only 267 mm) from March to August 2010 generating a drought of similar intensity to that of 2005, when only 227mm of rain fell. 

Another feature of the 2010 vintage is the low temperatures above all in the first three weeks of August, which made for the preservation of good levels of acidity in the grapes while also maintaining attractive aromatic freshness.

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Tasting note

color

Deep

ending

Long, Extensive and Pure

recommend

Yes

taste

High in Acidity, High alcohol content, High tannin, Complex, Good texture, Youthful, Harmonious, Fresh, Perfumed and Drying tannins

Verdict

Well-rounded and Sophisticated

Written Notes

Superb richness and already showing a velvety texture, wonderful freshness and flavours that keep on growing, a magnificent Palmer. Drink 2020-50.

  • 98p

Looks very dark but hard to tell in the sodium lighting. So inviting on the nose: rich dark fruit but so fragrant, it is almost a little floral and just a hint of oak's vanilla sweetness. Finely aromatic and alluring. Then much more serious on the palate. Dense and rich and savoury. Tannins are dense but polished to perfection and the finish is fresh and dry. Great stuff. Not in the least showy but very impressive.

  • 95p

The deep ruby, gorgeous 2010 Palmer exudes aromas of violets, plums and blackberries, supported by wonderful layers of vibrant spice flavours and fine, velvety tannins. This Palmer has exhibits freshnes and lift despite having the highest-ever recorded levels of alcohol (14.5%) and tannin.

  • 97p
Tasted last time in September 2013. This wine had incredibly scented nose and palate, black cherries and Varlhona chocolate everywhere, awesome complexity structure and length, fat fruit and tannin on the palate. Very sophisticated wine with both power and extreme elegance. Heavenly stuff.
  • 99p
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Information

Origin

Margaux, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Below Average

Fake factory

None
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