2020 Château Palmer En Primeur
Released en primeur this morning, no samples of 2020 Château Palmer were sent outside of France. This is due to the very low levels of sulphur used to stabilise the wine by winemaker Thomas Duroux. Without entering into the larger debate about biodynamics and 'natural' winemaking (which do not go hand in hand), suffice it to say that this low sulphur approach is quite revolutionary in a wine at this level, something which can only be achieved by obsessive levels of care and attention in the vineyard and the winery.
Of the major critics, only those based in Bordeaux have been able to taste so far. Writing for Jancisrobinson.com, James Lawther MW scores the wine 18+ points, and Jane Anson awards it 97 points, describing it as "intense and concentrated, elegant, balanced and classical".
Stock is very limited and we would not be at all surprised if this turns out to be landmark wine once in bottle, so do please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to order.
Bordeaux En Primeur, landing in spring 2023
To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Palmer, Margaux
Château Palmer is a Troisième Cru Classé estate in the commune of Margaux. Originally the vineyards were part of the d'Issan estate, but became known as Château de Gasq when they were purchased by the family of the same name. The estate acquired its modern name in 1814, when it was bought by the English general, Charles Palmer, on his way back from the Peninsular War where he had fought with Wellington against Napoleon. Palmer eventually died bankrupt, having spent his wealth on his vines!
In 1938, the Sichel family joined forces with a group of wine merchant friends to purchase the property (originally including the Ginestet and Miailhe families). Today, the majority shareholders of Sichel and Mahler-Besse, with a number of other minority shareholders.
The vineyard is 52 hectares of 'croupes' (knolls) of Garonne gravel, planted to 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Thomas Duroux, formerly winemaker at Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia, has been in charge since 2004. The estate is run biodynamically.
The second wine, Alter Ego de Palmer, has become increasingly serious in recent years, so much so that in fact Palmer now sees this as not a second wine as such, but as a wine in its own right, with the grapes coming from a dedicated vineyard.
