Vintages follow one after another, and no two are ever the same. Under an opaque, illegible sky, a sophisticated, intimate interpretation of the place led 2023 into the circle of great Palmer wines.

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At the close of a relatively cool, wet winter, the Merlot vines began to bud in the final week of March. On the night of April 4, a minor frost heralded an unstable, warm, wet spring, exacerbating the vine’s growth. Vigilance and experience were key to containing the resulting cryptogamic pressure. The vines flowered from May 31 to June 5, in dry, sunny, almost summery conditions. Growth continued, promising a very high harvest potential.

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June ushered in a paradoxical summer: hot, cloudy, with scattered thunderstorms. The ripening midpoint was reached on July 25 for our Merlots, three days later for the Cabernets. A gloomy August sky made us fear for the quality potential of the future harvest. But then the game changed. An initial heatwave ran from August 17 through 24, bringing plant growth to a halt and promoting fruit ripening. A second one hit ten days later, a blow for younger vines but a boon for the concentration of the grapes.

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The harvest began on September 11, with fragrant Merlot grapes packed with majestic tannins. Against a stormy backdrop, the harvest was suspended for a week, which allowed the Cabernets to be harvested at their peak at the very end of the season. The fruit exuded harmony; the tannins were exceptionally ripe. In the cellar, the blending of our wines was completed in December. Under unpredictable skies, this 2023 vintage, imbued with a fine aromatic freshness, announces wines of harmonious mastery that promise to cultivate their singular, velvety identity.

Although we were expecting the effects of the climate to wreak destruction, the terroir remains the undisputed master in the expression of our wines’ complexity.

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After a damp late fall, a moderately rainy winter brought an alternation of warmth and cold to the vineyard. The vintage launched on March 22 with the homogeneous budding of our Merlots. From April 2 through 5, spring opened with a series of black frosts that arrived earlier than in 2021, and which had a limited impact on the vines’ growth and the next steps in their vegetative cycle. The vintage’s sunny trend became apparent from May onwards, with rapid flowering starting on May 18 in a hot, dry context.

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In late June, welcome storms broke a first heatwave that had already set the stage for a scorching summer with no significant rain until mid-August. The threat of mildew abated while water scarcity set in. Having had their growth halted, the first ripe grapes appeared in early July. However, our youngest vines bore the brunt of temperature spikes above 40°C (104°F) between July 11 and 18. The mid- August rains proved beneficial and the grapes finished ripening in consistently hot conditions.

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The harvest began on September 7, setting off a month-long race. With overall grape weight down by a quarter, the skins revealed a bold tannic presence. Driven by a well-developed phenolic maturity, the fermentation was fluid and offered a near-miraculous balance. Standing
as testament to the clarity of the Palmer terroir, the assemblage was easy and natural, concluding in late November after just two sessions. Despite a contrasted climate, this 2022 vintage bears the promise of powerful wines, a precise texture, and a harmony capable of holding its own.

While the summer put the vines on a path to greater growth, a sunny September enabled us to pick grapes bursting with promise. 2021 is a vintage in which the talents of our team made the difference, demonstrating the passion and cohesion of a collective effort.

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While January heralded a cold winter, February promised kinder temperatures and nourishing rains. The return to dry weather fostered consistent budding across the vines. The spring frosts from April and May slowed growth. Flowering eventually began on May 28, in a warm, dry climate. The fruit set accelerated, and a handful of our most earliest ripening Merlots were affected by coulure. Rainfall was followed by a sharp rise in temperatures in June, leading to explosive vegetative growth. Shortly after a torrential storm on June 19, the arrival of mildew required meticulous monitoring.

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A half-hearted summer until August 15 exacerbated vine growth, sparking fears of low numbers of grapes. In late August and early September, four weeks of dry weather thankfully dispelled a lot of the water and the ripening process resumed as normal, just in time for the harvest. Threatened by botrytis, the Merlot harvest started on September 24 while the Cabernets finished on October 15. Despite more modest yields than expected, the harvest was healthy with ripe grapes, and the tasting revealed a remarkably fine tannic texture.

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The assemblages were finalized in early December, reflecting an ever-clearer perspective of the Château Palmer plots. This 2021 batch offers exceptionally fulfilled wines, rooted in moderation and harmony, harking back to the vintages of the previous century.

It was as though time stood still over the course of this very special year, forcing us to focus on the essentials, tending our vines and listening to our environment. In the wake of an extraordinary 2018 and a 2019 rooted in pure elegance, 2020 concludes an absolutely exceptional trilogy.

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At the end of February, the onset of budding almost two weeks ahead of schedule heralded the launch of a very early vintage. March brought heavy rainfall, followed by an equally damp spring with mild temperatures – conditions all too suited to the spread of mildew. Throughout April and May, the vineyard required exceptional care and attention to keep us on course for a healthy harvest. In mid-May, a return to dry weather set the stage for an ideal flowering period. In June, the summer weather arrived and settled in to stay.

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By late July, the berries had begun to change color under the bright and constant sun. Although the heatwaves of August subjected the vines to a good deal of water stress, intense thunderstorms brought welcome respite. The Merlot grapes gorged themselves and Cabernets retained their small size, while the subsequent return of dry weather drove the tannic concentration. Harvest began on September 15, with the Merlot picked in the cool of dawn and the Cabernet gathered as the rain beat down.

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In the vat room, the fermentations proceeded smoothly and the assemblage was carried out over two sessions in mid-November, mostly during the run-off phase. Underpinned by the year’s favorable climate, the 2020 vintage is on par with 2018 in terms of structure, boasting sunny Merlots, refined and powerful Cabernets, and a terroir of exceptional clarity.

The Merlots give rise to wines full of power, exuberance, and body. The Cabernets developed a certain coolness and reserve, leading to wines of rare distinction. It is this uncommon coupling that has seen 2019 enter the exclusive club of truly exceptional vintages.

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While January was marked by a few days of extreme cold, the rest of the winter proved relatively mild. Throughout the season rainfall was moderate but sufficient to partially replenish essential reserves in our soils. Budding began almost a week ahead of schedule before progressing in a smooth and even manner. The spring that followed was cool and rainy. Despite the capricious weather, flowering allowed us to hope for a bountiful harvest. Then, at the end of June, the weather conditions changed radically and a lasting period of hot and dry weather set in.

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Fortunately, the vines endured two heatwaves in June and July without consequence. The limited summer rainfall fostered the accumulation of polyphenols in the berries. The grapes underwent their color change in excellent conditions and, by mid-August, we were sure that we had an exceptional vintage in our sights. We began harvesting the Merlot on September 19. The berries were aromatic and loaded with sugar. The harvest continued and we entered the fall under fine, steady rainfall which lowered the potential alcohol of the Cabernet Sauvignon. By October 11, the harvest was complete. In the vat room, the exuberance of the Merlot grapes shone through. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot also displayed remarkable finesse.

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Today, both Alter Ego and Château Palmer express a purity and aromatic clarity rarely seen in such an abundant vintage. These wines are elixirs of truth in their faithful reflection of their terroir.

From December to July, incessant rains caused mildew to develop. In the summer, the vines put their energy into the remaining grapes and they became extraordinarily intense. All of this led to an unprecedented decision; every batch was used on the assemblage of this Château Palmer.

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A rainy winter accompanied the dormant vines, dampening the soil and causing late budding. Despite our care, the continuous rain through the spring months combined with very mild temperatures led to the development of astonishingly virulent mildew. Our crop manager did not recall ever having seen weather conditions so suited to its development and spread. Fortunately, the weather dramatically improve and brought exceptional conditions.

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The summer was hot, dry and restorative. Ripening began over the first week of August and allowed the budding process to make up for lost time. In August and September, the sunshine was ideal, the nights were cool, and there wasn’t a drop of rain. These combined conditions made for an exceptional degree of maturity. Due to the low yield, the vine concentrated all of its energy on the remaining clusters, leading to a tannic and aromatic concentration in the grapes that had rarely been seen before in the property’s history.

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Sorting was of the utmost importance this year. The daily tastings during the winemaking process confirmed the harvest’s incredible potential quality. Each plot was extraordinarily powerful and concentrated, leading us to make an unprecedented decision that each one would be used in the final Château Palmer assemblage. A vintage that will undoubtedly make history…

Vine growth got off to an ideal start, until late frosts cast uncertainty over the vintage. Fortunately, the river protected us and excellent weather conditions followed. Among the vines, the character of each plot served as a guide. The result was keenly precise wines with bold, unashamed character.

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With a significant lack of rainfall and a mild winter, the vines awoke early from their winter slumber. Starting in late March, the buds began opening amidst optimal growing conditions. Then, during the nights of April 27 and 28, the Bordeaux region was struck by a wave of frost. Thankfully, the river protected the majority of Château Palmer’s vineyards. Finally, late May brought fine weather which provided the perfect climate for flowering and the promise of an excellent harvest.

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As summer began, it brought several rainy periods which prolonged the vegetative growth of the vines. The first phase of ripening took place on schedule in mid-August. The rains of September accelerated the maturation of the skins and harvest began early on September 20. By September 29, the harvest was complete. From the moment the vinification began, it became clear that the conditions of the vintage, coupled with our vineyard management methods that respected the terroir, would provide an exceptionally clear expression of each plot.

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Today, the 2017 vintage at Château Palmer is precise, without excess. The wines exhibit the elegant balance of our most classic vintages. Their velvety tannins and aromatic depth are promises of splendid ageing potential.

Despite a mild winter, a rainy spring, a moderately warm summer, and a late harvest, the quality of the grapes proved to be nothing less than extraordinary. Bringing out such ripe, powerful tannins is the cellar team’s raison d’être. In the end, an exquisite harmony was struck between structure and silk.

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Winter proved very mild and the vines were a week ahead of schedule. However, their growth was restrained due to the mild, wet weather. These conditions are extremely favorable for the development of mildew, and we had 130 millimeters of rainfall in just one month! We had never experienced such pressure since the estate shifted to its biodynamic approach. However, thanks to the winegrowers’ hard work and unwavering commitment, we managed to rise to the challenge.

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Luckily, flowering took place in optimum conditions during the week of June 6. Summer finally arrived with moderate temperatures and no rain. This led to a fear of potential setbacks on the most sensitive plots. Fortunately, some welcome rain arrived, much to the relief of the whole team. The harvest, which only began on October 3, was one of the latest in the estate's history. Although modest in quantity, the aromatic intensity of the grapes was extraordinary. The tannins were powerful and perfectly ripe, which led us to opt for a more intense extraction.

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After the first months of aging, the equilibrium of our two wines differed significantly from that of our previous great vintages: an entirely customary degree of alcohol revealed an exceptionally tannic structure. It seems the velvety texture of Château Palmer wines is more than ever our hallmark.

Both extravagant and perfectly structured, Château Palmer 2015 is the archetype of the suave character that the estate’s wines display with such talent. Open and expressive, this wine has excellent ageing potential but can also be enjoyed now.

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Years ending in five – with the notable exception of 1965 – have always produced top-quality wines. The beginning of the vine’s growing cycle was characterized by a relatively dry climate. The vegetative development was extremely regular and the flowering conditions were perfect. The rainfall that followed the fertilization of the flowers enabled good berry growth. In late June, temperatures rose and the dry weather settled, favoring an early end to vegetative growth, the thickening of the berry skins, the concentration of tannins, and the rapid growth of pips.

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At the end of July, the weather conditions changed radically and we were faced with a succession of moderate rainy periods. This caused the ripening to begin and the berries grew to a more traditional size. The Margaux appellation enjoyed especially favorable weather conditions throughout September. We harvested a few young vines on September 15, but the harvest started in earnest on September 22. The Merlot grapes were magnificent, rich, and very ripe. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes followed and were just as promising.

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The relatively high alcoholic content of the 2015 vintage is balanced out by a dense tannic structure free from any rustic notes thanks to the perfect phenolic maturity of the pips and skins. This outstanding balance leads us to believe that 2015 will be similar to other recent great vintages, such as 2010, 2009, and 2005.

What if biodynamic viticulture brought us closer to our terroir? Two hundred years after Major General Charles Palmer acquired the estate, the 2014 vintage provides a simple answer to this question: its energy beautifully welcomes ageing while releasing fruitiness and minerality.

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Early in the summer, the sun had played an endless game of hide-and-go-seek. But when the harvest ended on October 14, it was under the same glorious sun that we had enjoyed throughout September. Everything had started quite well; a rainy winter had enabled the estate to renew its water reserves. In the spring, flowering went well. But early July, the weather became unstable and the vines focused on their fine foliage – to the detriment of their grapes. August wasn’t much better, ripening was slow and the berries began to swell…

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Luckily, the sun finally returned at the end of the month. September’s extraordinary weather conditions transformed the vintage profile. As berry size decreased, levels of sugars, anthocyanins, and tannins increase. On September 22, we harvested the first plot, and the particularly good weather allowed us to pick perfectly ripe grapes. In the cellar, innovation was firmly in the spotlight. After two years of experiments seeking to reduce the level of sulfur in our wines, we decided not to add any sulfur to the harvested grapes to let them immediately express their complexity.

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At this stage, the wines of the 2014 vintage are an excellent reflection of the diversity of the estate’s plots. Each personality is expressed in these two assemblages as if a veil had been lifted. It is, without a doubt, one of the first results of our biodynamic approach.

A year of heavy rain. Never have our vineyard workers experienced such a wet winter. This was followed by a late and hasty harvest. While worryingly rough tannins were avoided with careful vinification, only a third of the harvest was retained for the final blend…

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Winter 2013 stands as one of the dampest of the last few years, which significantly complicated working conditions in the vineyard. Early in the season, our observations showed a delay of around ten days compared to the already late 2012 vintage. In May, rainy conditions led to a major amount of coulure. The risk of mildew was particularly high. The summer weather was more favorable, but the development of the vines remained stalled on a late growth cycle.

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September held an unpleasant surprise for us, with rain, humidity, and warm temperatures. We began harvesting on September 27. The Merlots, which are so important to the identity of our wines – were picked in time and showed a level of phenolic and aromatic maturity that surpassed our expectations. We continued harvesting the Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Their aromatic palettes were clean and precise. During the winemaking process, the must was handled very carefully to avoid extracting any potentially harsh tannins.

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We were able to carefully preserve the silky, velvety identity of the estate’s wines. To find the right expression for this difficult vintage, we held many different tasting sessions, each inspiring countless debates. In the end, only a third of the production was retained in the final blend. A great wine is all about balance. Château Palmer 2013 reminds us of this by subtly playing on an atypical style.

Three periods: a rainy spring, a sunny summer, a wet fall. Two characteristics: exuberant Merlots on one side, and precise, linear Cabernet Sauvignons on the other. Two vintages in one: a happy marriage for a richly balanced wine.

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The main characteristic of the vintage is that of an unusual contrast between spring, summer, and early fall. The cool, damp weather from April to June brought about a late yet heterogeneous budding. Flowering also presented the same features. Taking place in unfavorable conditions it resulted in a high percentage of coulure in our oldest Merlots. The risk of developing diseases was high and required our continuous attention.  

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In summer, the weather changed completely. In late June, the sun began to shine and temperatures finally rose. Ripening began on July 23, heralding a late vintage. It hardly rained in August or during the first three weeks of September. These particularly favorable conditions, due to the lack of water and nitrogen, enabled the vine to focus its energy on developing phenolic compounds and therefore produce high quality grapes. The weather took another turn for the worse during the final week of September. The harvest was intense, taking place between October 1 and 15 without interruption and in wet conditions. The Botrytis pressure was constant. However, low yields helped maintain healthy conditions around the bunches.

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The rich, exuberant Merlots were reminiscent of the finest vintages of the first decade of the 2000s. The Cabernet Sauvignons were linear, precise, and in keeping with the 2008 grapes. This unusual marriage harmoniously highlighted the smoothness, elegance, and refinement of Château Palmer wines.

A half-century after the legendary 1961 vintage, this year’s wine stood out for its extremely low yields, the result of hail, and, in June, extreme heat. The concentrated result was both beautiful and unexpected, which should herald excellent aging potential.

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In an exceptionally hot, dry climate, the vines began budding three weeks ahead of their usual growth cycle calendar. The first flowers illuminated the vineyard on May 10. The absence of precipitation accentuated water stress among the vines, and we noticed a few cases of coulure in our older plots of Merlot. On June 4, the berries were already formed when a violent hailstorm hit the vineyard and destroyed half the crop. The vines were reeling, having sustained damage to both its body and its fruit.

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After grinding to a halt for ten days, it made up for lost time in what had become a dry, sunny context, putting out multiple leaves and buds. The summer season began under the scorching sun. June 26 and 27 proved to be the two hottest days of the year, peaking at 38.8°C (101.8°F) in the shade. Young grapes suffered in these searing conditions. Some of them, particularly on the most exposed plots, charred and fell to the ground. This “scalding” generated a further reduction in quality for the vintage.

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Mid-July, the climate became more regular, temperatures dropped, and the vines recovered. The ripening took place in positive conditions. Light rain delayed the start of the harvest by ten days, but it finally began on September 7 under a bright sun and in a serene climate. Having reached maturity despite a very early growth cycle, the Merlots and Cabernets displayed a bold acidity and an interesting concentration of precise tannins, guaranteeing this vintages incredible potential for development.

We find ourselves intimidated by this monumental wine. Rarely have the grapes given us so much pleasure and delight. Complexity, depth, and an enchanting mouthfeel are the main characteristics of this immense vintage. The year 2010 will go down in history…

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2010 is a heavenly vintage. In terms of quality, it benefited from exceptionally favorable weather. After a late start to the growing season that protected the vines from spring frosts, budding took place evenly in April. By late May, the quality potential also proved to be excellent. Fertilization was greatly hampered by a cold, wet period in June that caused an uneven spread of flowering and led to a significant amount of coulure, dashing hopes of a large crop.

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July was particularly warm, eliminating any heterogeneity in the vines after flowering, while the initial ripening occurred quickly. This beautiful weather lasted without interruption until the end of the harvest. The 2010 vintage was also characterized by a lack of water, which continued throughout the summer. The result was very small berries with surprisingly rich aromas and the retention of a certain acidity. Some welcome rain in the second week of September accelerated the ripening of the skins.

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In these favorable conditions, we were able to take our time and pick each plot at peak ripeness. The harvest was the longest in Château Palmer’s recent history. The precise choice of ripeness and finely controlled extractions enabled us to tame the strength and power of this vintage. 2010 is like a finely cut diamond that, over time, will fully express the full delicacy of Château Palmer’s terroir.

Warm and mature, 2009 is truly a voluptuous, charming vintage. Simultaneously irresistible, powerful, and smooth, the adjectives it inspires are endless. When we talk about the velvet, the rich fabric that characterizes Palmer wines, this is exactly what we mean…

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The cool, humid weather in early spring brought late budding and slow vine growth. With mild, dry, sunny weather in June, flowering took place quickly and spread evenly. The subsequent summer enhanced the quality potential. There were no extremes; no destructive storms and no heatwaves, just some moderate, sporadic rainfall. Under such favorable conditions, plant growth rapidly stopped and the ripening and flowering spread quickly.

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In early September, the skins were still thick and the tannins needed to be refined. A long spell of fine weather gave us time to taste the grapes every day and patiently monitor their development until they had the right velvety texture. Harvesting began on September 23 for the earliest-ripening Merlots. The grapes arriving in the vat room were magnificent; perfectly ripe, healthy, juicy, and concentrated. However, they arrived at slightly higher temperatures than usual. The crops had to be cooled to make sure that the fermentation temperatures were well controlled. These efforts were both encouraged and rewarded by the very high quality of the daily tastings. We were stunned by the freshness, density, and finesse of the batches.

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2009 is a terroir vintage, in which each plot fully expressed its singularity and contributed to exceedingly complex assemblages. Velvety, ripe fruit and rare spices underpin it superbly and will continue to enhance it over time.

A vintage that made a spectacular recovery. The year 2008 perfectly explains the foundations of Château Palmer’s identity: a harmony of flavor in which fine tannins dominate, and a rich aromatic palette that blossoms over time.

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The remarkable lateness of this vintage’s harvest was due to disruption to the growth cycle by difficult climatic conditions. After a mild, dry, late winter, budding was delayed by cold weather from mid-March to late April. A very rainy month of May ended with a hailstorm that hit the south of the Médoc – including several Château Palmer plots – compounding the stress suffered by the vines. Flowering took place in June in cool, rainy conditions, resulting in significant coulure, particularly on our older Merlot vines. Mildew pressure was also constant this year.

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July weather always plays an essential role in polyphenol synthesis, and this July was generally warm and sunny. Summer got off to a good start on June 20, and a long period of warm, relatively dry weather lasted until August 10. The less favorable weather that followed for the rest of August somewhat overshadowed this, especially as we also had to manage the disease pressure. From September 14, a northerly wind set in, bringing with it warmer weather and an end to the rain. The wind dried out the small outbreaks of botrytis that were beginning to worry us, and we were able to wait for the last grapes to ripen without any major vine health concerns.

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This vintage made a spectacular recovery! With great depth and remarkable finesse, the wines beautifully express the Château Palmer terroir in a vintage brought back from the brink!

Cool, rainy weather from April to August. Expert hands at work behind the scenes. In this case, vine and leaf thinning to ensure that the grapes received the full benefits of the sun. The result? Aromas of fresh fruit and pleasant surprises.

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An exceptionally hot, dry April gave the vines a ten-day head start on their normal cycle. But from late April until late August, cool, damp conditions set in. Flowering was somewhat uneven, having started during the good weather before slowing due to the subsequent cool, rainy climate. Major, constant pressure from mildew kept us worried throughout the ripening of the grapes.

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From mid-June and into July, we carried out summer pruning and thinning operations in the vineyard, which helped maintain sufficient ventilation between the bunches. The persistent cool weather in late July made us carry out meticulous leaf thinning in the cluster area over most of the vineyard, so that the grapes could make take full advantage of the sunshine. At the end of August, during our first tastings, the grapes were already showing excellent aromatic potential.

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From the very first days of September, an easterly wind accelerated concentration and ripening, enabling us to harvest the first Merlot plots on September 18 after three weeks of cool mornings and mild, sunny afternoons. The grapes brought to the vat room were plump and ripe, and the result was beautiful wines upheld by a surprising vitality.

Playing hide-and-go-seek with fickle weather, the leading terroirs fared well. Shifting between drought and rain, the vines and grapes were able to grow in sufficiently good conditions to fully express their style.

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Overall, 2006 was a hot, dry year defined by abrupt climatic fluctuations. After a late budding at the end of March, flowering went smoothly in bright, cool conditions. From mid-June until late July, temperatures were scorching. Fortunately, this hot, dry weather was interspersed with short rainstorms. In these conditions, the first ripening came early and was practically complete by the end of July.

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August then brought a sudden turnaround. Cool, rainy weather slowed ripening, leading to extensive canopy management obligations. August’s rainfall kept disease pressure high, which required constant vigilance. At the end of August and throughout the first ten days of September, the heatwave returned with temperatures reaching 35°C (96°F). This accelerated the ripening process, which had slowed until then, while simultaneously weakening the grape skins. The rainy period that followed was fortunately rather cool, and required daily vigilance to ensure each plot was harvested at precisely the right time. Although the weather conditions were inconsistent, they nonetheless led to high grape quality on the major terroirs.

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The cumulative quality potential of June and July was fully expressed during the September ripening, and the richness and intensity of the tannins did not overshadow the elegance, subtlety, and depth of the wine.

A historic vintage driven by exceptional drought – the likes of which hadn’t been seen in France since 1976 – resulting in very low yields and highly concentrated grapes with juices bursting with aromas. Powerfully rare. Naturally, an excellent wine…

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No one in France can remember a drought so intense that lasted for so long. To help the vines reduce their water consumption, we carefully thinned them out and removed the internodes to ensure optimum nutrition for the grapes. After a beautiful flowering at the start of June, the incredibly dry summer brought an early halt to growth – often the sign of an excellent vintage. The drought had two major consequences for the harvest: low berry swelling resulting in very low yields, and a gradual concentration of grape compounds, which spelled great things for the final result.

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We began harvesting the Merlot on September 22, feeling that we were handing grapes of a rare quality. Daily tasting was nothing short of enchanting. Rarely had the skins been so concentrated in flavor; rarely had the tannins been so simultaneously powerful and velvety. The work in the vat room was made easier by the grapes’ excessive ripeness, and every effort was made to complete the fermentation smoothly given the unprecedented sugar content. We picked the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Petit Verdot between September 30 and October 7, both in excellent conditions.

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Daily tastings during the vinification enabled us to control the extraction with the utmost precision to preserve freshness and balance in this powerful, concentrated vintage. Château Palmer 2005 is, without a doubt, the most exuberant vintage of the decade.

Clement weather for a straightforward vintage, perfectly in keeping with the Palmer style. A classic, of course, yet one underpinned by the utmost precision thanks to meticulous vinification to bring out the full finesse and power of the harvested grapes.

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In contrast to the two previous vintages, 2004 was defined by a suitable, mild climate. Nothing disrupted the vine cycle, and summer began after a month of very little rain in June. After an even flowering phase, without coulure, the mild summer temperatures helped to slow down and lengthen the ripening phase. September was dry and sunny, allowing us to wait calmly for each plot to offer up its best.

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The grapes were gently vinified for an average of 21 days. In some cases, extraction was carried out at the beginning of the vatting process to express the grape’s flesh, while in others it took place throughout the maceration to give the wine more power.

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The 2004 wines may seem very classic compared to those of 2003, but they magnificently combine the pedigree and finesse of our terroir with the body and strength of an excellent vintage. These wines are a fitting reflection of the Palmer vineyard’s generosity.

The summer of heat waves! The result was atypical for Bordeaux, with southern-style aromatic palettes and an almost Latin feel. Despite the excessive heat, the wines express the class of their terroir, and over time reveal the exceptional character of this vintage.

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This extraordinary vintage was characterized by several periods of very hot weather, with temperatures approaching or even exceeding 40°C (104°F) in June, July, and August. Never in the last 150 years had such successive high temperatures been recorded. The overall lack of rainfall and the drought accentuated the effects of the heat, but it was the heatwave itself that really stood out in 2003.

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This resulted in a low yield of small grapes with thick skins. Aside from 1989, the 2003 harvest was the earliest in 60 years. It began on September 8 for the Merlot, on September 16 for the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Petit Verdot, and ended on September 20. The vinification was carried out carefully given the high degree of ripeness and sugar levels in the Merlot grapes. A relatively short maceration time (17 days) saved the wine’s freshness and balance. As a result, the vintage was full of charm and carried by the fleshiness of ripe fruit.

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The deeply mature aromas that characterized this wine in its youth have now given way to a more complex palette. Château Palmer’s terroir slowly recovered from the extreme weather of the summer of 2003, and there is no doubt that this wine will have more surprises in store for us in the future.

In the extraordinarily dry climate of 2002, the cycle of vine growth and fruit ripening began earlier than usual. After a gloomy summer, the last three weeks of September brought magnificent weather for the grapes. This vintage promises to be a rich one.

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After a mild, dry winter, budding took place in late March. Flowering began in late May during a cool, rainy period, causing heavy coulure and millerandage. Only the Petit Verdot was spared thanks to its late growth. The grapes started to ripen very early, and slowly at first before accelerating with the return of warm weather on August 11. Rainfall in August had little effect on ripening due to the significant previous water shortage. Feeding and growth stopped early, much to the benefit of the ripening grapes, which became highly concentrated.  

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September was very sunny with dry winds and cool nights. After surviving the violent hailstorm and heavy rain that hit on September 20, the crop reached full ripeness with very high sugar levels and a phenolic compound content higher than any previous year. The harvest took place under the sun without a drop of rain. Given the very high number of Growth Degree Days and the excellent extractability of both color and tannins, the vinification was carried out at low temperatures, with moderate pumping-over and relatively short maceration time.

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Both powerful and fruity, the wine is underpinned by a remarkable freshness and bolstered by a firm balance of acidity, alcohol content, and tannins. Bottle ageing has only accentuated this characteristic.

A serious, late vintage, yet without the austerity of ’78, ’88, or ’96. This 2001 is well-built, yet approachable. The freshness of the Cabernets picked in October still dominates this fine Château Palmer, perfectly rooted in its Médoc territory. Pure Palmer.

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A particularly mild, wet winter was followed by a rapid start of growth in March. Flowering came on quickly through May and June – reaching mid-flowering on June 2 – with mild, very dry weather. Despite a cool and particularly rainy July, grape ripening continued in good conditions until a major storm on August 15 (the ripening midpoint arrived on August 9). August was warm, but not excessively so, followed by another bout of cool weather in September.

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Just before the harvest, the vineyard was in perfect health. The warm, sunny weather in October enabled us to wait for each plot to reach optimum ripeness. Sugar levels were high, above those of 2000 and close to those of 1999. Phenolic levels are also very high – even higher than in 1999. The Merlot was fruity, rich, and generous, while the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes showed great finesse, characterized by very pure tannins.

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Gorged with juice, each grape variety was able to express the authentic nature of its terroir as part of a fresh, fruity, bespoke assemblage. A rich, distinguished vintage, resulting in a magnificent expression of the Château Palmer style.

Maturation. This is this vintage’s main characteristic. From mid-July onwards, dry, sunny weather led the grapes to ripen slowly and surely. Their quality, combined with ripe tannins backed by sufficient acidity, produced a Margaux that can be kept and matured for a very long time.

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After the devastating storms of the turn of the century, the year 2000 began with a mild winter almost reminiscent of spring. From the first day of March, temperatures were less and less cool in the mornings and increasingly warm in the afternoons. This mildness can be a cause for concern. While starting early is sometimes beneficial, we also understand the risks of growth beginning too soon. The vines started to develop as early as March 14. By late May, the cold, rainy weather provided sub-optimal conditions for flowering. Spring was particularly wet, requiring a great deal of vigilance and attention from the winegrowers.

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Flowering ended in good conditions in mid-June, while summer began in earnest in mid-July, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and over a long period. This drought lasted until harvest time. The Growing Degree Days were satisfactory (although without reaching 1999 levels), but the richness of the phenolic compounds was simply extraordinary. The quality of the fruit, combined with ripe tannins supported by sufficient acidity, produced a fine Margaux suited to long ageing.

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The 2000 vintage is a true classic and all the better for it. Its color is rich and dense, while the nose is powerful and complex. Lastly, the palate is imposing on the attack, followed by an astonishing length. This is an Château Palmer with exceptional ageing potential.

Concentration. Far beyond the expectations inspired by the favorable climate, the grapes were concentrated with a rare intensity. Never before have our Cabernet Sauvignons been so rich in sugars. And this vintage is a fine reflection of these exceptional conditions.

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1999 was not an easy year. The contrasting climate required attention and expertise to harvest healthy, ripe grapes. This year, more than ever, it was the quality of the work in the vineyard that made the vintage a success. From January to March, temperatures were unusually mild, with record levels of sunshine. Vine growth developed early, with the first buds appearing in late March. Despite a muggy April-May, flowering proceeded rapidly and evenly.

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Summer was warm and the growth cycle followed its usual course. From a vine health perspective, early mildew attacks on select bunches were kept under control. During the ripening, in addition to the usual physiological changes, a rare case of natural berry concentration occurred. This resulted in exceptional sugar levels, unprecedented for Cabernet Sauvignon. September – especially in the second half – was very wet. The choice of harvest date became a major concern. Thanks to expert vineyard management and rigorous sorting, the grapes held up well.

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A significantly above-average proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon might explain the youthfulness of this Château Palmer vintage. 1999 produced some curious wines, which still offer impressive energy and vitality. The Cabernet Sauvignon, ripe and concentrated, has given them great power and ageing capacity.

A true classic! There were few, if any, clouds in making this vintage, both literally and figuratively. Apart from a little rain in September, the grapes enjoyed warm, dry weather, ideal for reaching optimal ripeness.

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1998 is an excellent Merlot vintage. The wine is fresh, aromatic, and complex. Conditions in the first months of the year were similar to those in 1997 – warm and sunny. March brought high temperatures with it, and the vines began to grow from the 22nd. However, April was one of the wettest months of the century. This slowed down vine growth and the first flowers did not appear until late May, although flowering was fairly fast and even.

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In July, the weather was moderately hot and relatively dry. The start of the ripening also went smoothly. August was exceptional – one of the hottest and driest on record. This gave the harvest remarkable potential. The incredible feature of grape ripening in 1998 was the early halt of vine growth. This was due to low rainfall in July and a particularly hot, dry August. As a result, constant rainfall in September only slightly diluted the sugars, without affecting the phenolic compounds or grape quality. The subsequent vinification was facilitated by very rapid extraction.

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The wines made from all three varieties combined grapes with a great tannic structure while preserving their elegance. The sublime Merlot grapes of the 1998 vintage provide the exceptional velvety complexity of this vintage, which is sunny, profound, and emblematic of the Palmer style.

Capricious, alternating weather saw the grapes ripen unevenly, complicating work in the cellar. Aging then smoothed over these discrepancies to preserve only what matters most: the expression of the fruit.

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This vintage fended off countless threats and was complicated to produce. February, March, and April were all unusually mild. Sunshine hours reached record levels, with above-normal temperatures accompanied by severe drought. Vine growth began on March 3, three weeks ahead of normal, and continued until the start of the ripening phase. These major time discrepancies led to the appearance of the first inflorescences in early May, four weeks ahead of schedule. However, the rest of the month was quite unstable, alternating between thunderstorms, rain, and sunny weather. Coulure and millerandage then slowed fertilization.

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August was hot and particularly humid. This led to a slow, unequal ripening along with major cryptogamic threat throughout the summer. A climatic turnaround mitigated any potential damage. Exceptional weather in September halted rot, dried out the grapes, and accelerated ripening. However, the heterogeneity of the bunches led to indecision as to the harvest start date. In the end, the Merlot grapes were harvested from September 10, just ten days ahead of schedule. And thanks to the fine weather in early October, the Cabernet Sauvignon made up some of the lost ground.

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Heterogeneous grape clusters did not prevent the eventual production of a well-balanced wine. This uneven ripening highlights the importance of rigorous sorting during the harvest. 1997 is now ready to be enjoyed. This vintage is rather understated, quietly powerful, but not aggressive.

Straightforward, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon combined with more charming Merlot produced a Château Palmer that stands out alongside the great Médoc wines of this vintage: just as profound, but much more accessible. Many more fine years ahead.

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A season of atypical weather patterns ended, against all odds, with a storming success. The year began with an exceptionally mild January. Then, suddenly, an extraordinary storm arrived in February. A bout of very cold weather followed, causing the vines to emerge late on March 25. It froze a little on April 4, but the soil was dry and there was no damage to the vines. May was cool and rainy on the whole, while June was almost scorching. Early flowering took place in very good conditions.

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July and August were highly contrasted, with alternating hot weather and torrential rain. There was a distinct lack of sunshine in August, and ripening was slow. Nevertheless, the vines managed to maintain their lead and the mid-point arrived on August 10. In mid-September, the weather deteriorated. We took a gamble by harvesting from September 23 to October 8. This patience provided an exceptional base on which to make a great wine. The excellent health of the vineyard resulted in high sugar levels. The Merlot grapes – and particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon – reached peak concentration.

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After slow, steady ripening, the Cabernets achieved exceptional concentration this year. The Sauvignons and Francs produced an especially dense wine, with spiced, complex aromas and delicate tannins. A vintage of immense refinement.

A vintage driven by warmth, sunshine, and Merlot. Not a single cloud darkened the summer skies of 1995. Only a few drops and a gentle coolness in September. The harvest was carried out at optimum maturity, resulting in a richly aromatic wine.

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An early and dry summer were the two characteristics of this vintage. The fine weather arrived in April, continuing in May, and full flowering was announced on June 4, ten days ahead of schedule. June, July, and August were among the hottest and driest summers in half a century. Temperatures of 37°C were recorded on July 20 and 25, and only 89 mm of rain fell over the three months.

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The persistent heat continued in August. The vines suffered and ripening was slow. September was rainy and cool, maintaining the vines in excellent health. The rain actually relaunched the ripening process, without causing any noticeable dilution as the sap flow was slowed. Harvesting began after the rains, allowing each variety to be picked at optimum maturity.

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Even today, tasting Château Palmer 1995 conjures up images of a vast blue sky, with rich, fleshy grapes packed with sugar. The wines have such density and such a degree of perfection in their structure that anyone might imagine them to be unalterable even over time. 1995 is a modern, concentrated vintage with great potential. At Château Palmer, we describe it as Mediterranean – sunny and Latin.

Two in a row! Just like in 1993, heavy rainfall disrupted the month of September and the traditional harvest. The grapes arrived at the winery in a scattered fashion, forcing a long sorting process followed by a rigorous selection of the wines.

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1994 is an excellent vintage to be enjoyed here and now. The first months of the year were particularly mild. Temperatures reached 15°C in January and up to 22°C in February. Budding came very early, taking place on March 9. This was a fortnight earlier than in a normal year, which increased the risk of frost. The weather in April was cold and rainy. A few isolated bouts of frost hit the Médoc region on the night between the 15th and the 16th. Fine weather in May maintained the early start, with full flowering on June 5.

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The hot summer, accompanied by rainstorms in July, encouraged excellent ripening. The mid-point on August 6 set the stage for an early harvest, and all the conditions heralded a great vintage right up until the last moment. At the beginning of September, the vineyard was in exceptional health. Harvesting began at the estate on the 16th and, barring bad weather, we predicted that we would make a fantastic wine. Unfortunately, the weather turned and, just like in 1993, rain disrupted these optimal conditions.

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Despite everything, whenever this situation occurs, it is a wonderful surprise to see a much-maligned vintage produce such a fine wine. In these cases, rigorous sorting and selection of the wines are essential. We are beginning to discover this Château Palmer 1994 and its pure, profound style in line with the great, classic Bordeaux wines.

A vintage in two phases. First, a radiant summer, favoring vine development. Then came the rain and cold of the fall, limiting grape swell. But this was not enough to significantly affect the vintage. In fact, the result was an astonishing Palmer, ready to enjoy.

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1993 was a vintage of doubt. The year began with a severe cold snap all across France. From January 8 onwards, the weather changed and became rather mild for the season. In March, the mild weather continued, although a little rain would have been welcome. The vines budded early, starting on March 20, but were slowed by a rainy April. In May, the weather alternated between sun and rain. The first flowers appeared on the 25th, and flowering proceeded incredibly quickly in excellent conditions.

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The vines made great progress throughout June, and the berries began to swell. The summer months were dry and lacked sunshine. July was cool, August was hot and stormy. Volume and ripeness seemed to be on track. On September 6, the weather became overcast and deteriorated seriously from the 10th onwards. Heavy rain delayed the harvest, but grape quality was barely affected as the drop in temperature limited berry swelling and juice dilution. The harvest took place in the rain after a long period of hesitation.

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Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the quality was good. The wines were fruity, concentrated and rich, yet supple and well-balanced. The tannins are now very well integrated. And isn’t it true that great terroirs shine the most in difficult vintages? Château Palmer 1993 demonstrates this beautifully…

Fine weather follows the rain. The year 1992 was defined by alternating rain and shine. August was rainy, September was dry, then wet again during the harvest. In these conditions, it was difficult for the grapes to ripen evenly. Once again, the winemaking process worked its magic…

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Winter didn’t linger and the weather was unseasonably mild from February 25 onwards. Vine growth started on March 23, before the weather turned cool again with the arrival of sleet and sluggish growth until April 18. The first flowers appeared on May 25 in an extraordinarily warm month. Merlot flowered quickly, but the cool, wet weather of June slowed and disrupted the Cabernet fertilization. Despite a little coulure and the consequences of the 1991 frost, the vine fertility showed bold promise.

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Summer began in earnest on July 14. The first grapes changed on the 23rd. August was hot and rainy at first, and the ripening was slow. On the 31st, it rained heavily. As a result, the berries swelled considerably, and there was noticeable damage caused by gray rot. The slow ripening of the reds pushed the start of the harvest back to September 28. The Merlot grapes were picked quickly and showed great quality. However, alternating rain, sun, and cold made maturation a challenge.

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1992 is described as a complicated vintage, with little concentration and a lot of abundance. In these difficult conditions, Claude and Yves Chardon, former managers of Château Palmer, nevertheless produced a wine that still surprises us today with its vitality, delicate touch, and scents of dried flowers.

While good weather is useful, it isn’t always necessary. This vintage demonstrates just that, having withstood a truly deadly spring frost and a difficult harvest. In the end, after long days of sorting in the cellar, it revealed itself as a wine of great charm…

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1991 got off to a cold start, but this snap was short-lived. Spring arrived very early on February 17 and, as a result, vine growth started on March 20. The vines developed very rapidly during the hot month of April. Then, on April 20, it suddenly snowed in patches. The next morning, under clear skies, a vast front of cold air wiped out between 20% and 80% of the young shoots. Until May 20, spring was cold and often rainy.

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The first flowers appeared on June 1. The weather was very varied, making flowering complicated. The first transformed berries arrived on August 1. The rest of the month was very hot and the ripening made great progress. September was dry enough at the start. Unfortunately, torrential downpours hit the vineyard on September 25 and 26. These disturbances compromised the optimal ripening of the remaining grapes. These difficult conditions led to an extremely rigorous selection to produce well-structured wines.

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With the severe frost in April, most estates lost their harvest. The ones that fared better than others were those with vines along the Gironde estuary, which provides a thermal buffer. This was the case at Palmer, with this beautiful wine that made a wonderful recovery.

In 1990, everything implied that this Palmer was going to be a fine vintage. Firstly, it was preceded by two excellent wines. Secondly, the summer proved to be particularly hot, even reaching tropical conditions in August. Unprecedented weather since 1982, and 1949 and 1947 before that. Three illustrious vintages…

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1990 was such a sunny vintage that it remains synonymous with joy. This is a fine wine following in the footsteps of two equally prestigious vintages – 1988 and 1989. In fact, the weather patterns were strikingly similar across all three. February saw record-breaking heat, prompting the vines to start growing as early as March 9. However, this increased the risk of frost. Fortunately, the almost summer-like weather continued into March and April, dispelling our fears.

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Flowering came very early, a fortnight before what would normally be expected. From June 3, the weather was fairly overcast and rainy until the end of the month. July was sunny and warm, while August was nothing short of tropical. The only similar years are found in the most famous vintages. The first grapes began to ripen on July 15, and continued throughout August, although slowly, and were held back by excessive drought. Much-needed rainfall flooded the vineyards on August 30, and the harvest took place under ideal weather conditions.

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The quality of the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon was superb. 1990 had the structure of the greatest warm years, with low acidity, high degrees, concentrated ripe fruit, and supple tannins. An expressive, aromatic, exuberant wine, just as great as its two illustrious predecessors, but even more approachable.

In 1989, May saw the vineyards burst into flower, while each summer month was hotter than the last. The vines sweated it out and the grape sugars accumulated. The most precocious vintage of this century was shaping up to be quite grandiose – perhaps even more dazzling than 1982…

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1989 is one of the great vintages of Château Palmer, rooted in balance and detail. It offers wine that can be described as cerebral – less exuberant than 1983 or 1990. The nose is a little reserved and quite floral. It has good acidity, which prolongs the wine. In January, the weather was fairly misty and mild. February was cooler, with a record dry spell. March was very sunny and generally spring-like. The vines started to grow on the 20th, about ten days earlier than in a normal year. Flowering took place in May in warm weather, which accelerated the vegetative growth. The first flowers were spotted on the 22nd.

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The heat continued in June. The vines were magnificent and the grapes began to form on the 9th. The persistent drought allowed them to develop rapidly. The sunny months of July and August, which included some very hot spells, were interrupted by occasional rainfall bringing just enough water to the thirsty vines. The veraison began on 16 July. Patchy rain in early September made it difficult to choose the best harvest dates. This was complicated for the Cabernet Sauvignons, whose sugars sometimes ripen before the polyphenols. Alcohol and tannin levels were very high, with very low levels of acidity. The tannins were also ripe and mellow.

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The resulting wines are full-bodied and fleshy, powerful but supple. Without a doubt, 1989 is an exceptional vintage and can be aged for many years.

1988 set the stage for a winsome trio – a series of three vintages, each with its own identity, bringing the 1980s to a close. Rather late in the season, this vintage produced frank wines driven by older plots of Cabernet Sauvignon, combined with vegetal notes and a distinctly noble character.

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1988 is a vintage of great freshness. It has been described as wild and straightforward. The year began with unusually mild temperatures. Winter did not really set in until 20 February. In March, the cold continued, delaying the start of vine growth. The vines broke bud on the 20th and the following month of April was varied. From the second fortnight onwards, the vines grew rapidly. May was mild and often rainy. Overall, spring brought early flowering (first blossom on 29 May), which heralded great things to come.

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Summer was fairly average with a rather mild July. The grapes began to ripen on the 31st. In August, the sunny weather returned although without excessive heat. These conditions caused the vegetation to lose its advance. The sun shone until 12 September, then the weather became overcast until the end of the month, with unseasonably low temperatures and spots of rain. The first Merlot grapes were harvested from 30 September onwards, with satisfactory weights and in good health. It rained heavily on 9 October, but a tropical wind dried the vineyards and enabled the Cabernet Sauvignon to finish ripening.

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Harvesting was the key to this vintage, and everything came down to being patient and organised. By not rushing the harvest and allowing the grapes to reach a good level of ripeness, we were able to produce wines that were straightforward, with pure aromatic expressions and a tremendous capacity for development over time.

A tricky vintage. Firstly, in terms of the climate, with a long, cold winter, late flowering and a rainy harvest. Secondly, in terms of the vinification itself, driven by a particularly rigorous selection process. The result is a supple wine that can simply be described as enjoyable.

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1987 was a difficult vintage, without too much complexity and with soft tannins and a slight acidity. January was particularly cold and brisk, with highs of -17°C. In February, the weather was fairly mild for the season, alternating between rain and sunshine. Spring was slow to get going. On 31 March, the temperature was still at -2°C and the vines were yet to awaken. April gave us a little hope with average temperatures at 23°C. Budding occurred around the 8th and the whole vineyard developed very quickly. After an excellent start on 1 June, the rather early flowering took a turn for the worse as it rained for most of the month.

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Cool, sunny weather in July caused coulure and millerandage. August was quite sunny, but the temperatures dropped at night and the vines lacked warmth. The rest of the month was very mild and the veraison made great progress. In early September, the weather alternated between thunderstorms and fine weather. From the 7th to the 22nd, exceptionally hot weather (37°C on the 18th) gave us hope, but the harvest was uneven. Just before the harvest, despite uneven development across the plots, the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes reached satisfactory ripeness. From 7 October, the weather turned gloomy, overcast and rainy, which led to a diluted harvest.

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Careful selection during vinification and an extensive saignée process produced supple, fruity wines although with an average body.

Nature works its magic. After three months of record-breaking drought, perfectly timed rain in September gave the grapes a quick boost. The result? Grapes harvested at full ripeness and a vintage with great ageing potential.

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On paper, 1986 is a similar vintage to 1985. However, the random alternation of hot and cold, dry and wet, provided each year with distinct characteristics. January was wet and cold on the whole. February, on the other hand, was extremely cold. March and April were hardly better, and very wet. The vines were late. Budding occurred around the 14th. April was one of the rainiest and coldest months in the last 20 years. The vines struggled as a result.

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A very sunny month of May made up for this delay. Flowering was promising and homogenous. The vines reached full flower by 13 June. This was followed by a hot, very dry summer. Late August broke all drought records with three months without a single drop of water. Fortunately, two periods of heavy rainfall in September accelerated ripening and enabled the grapes to be harvested at optimum maturity during a very sunny October. The Merlot, picked from the 4th onwards, and particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, produced a wine with a high sugar content.

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The resulting 1986 is a thoughtful vintage and big on Cabernet. The wines needed time to open up and reveal themselves, but the years of cellaring have enabled them to achieve both balance and elegance. The bouquet is fine, complex – almost mineral. Meanwhile, the palate has evolved towards a smooth, round, enveloping texture.

In 1985, after a cold winter and a wet spring, the sunny weather finally set in. The result was optimal development of the grapes. By late October, the fruit was ripe and healthy, and the tannins were extremely fine. The resulting wines were elegant and light.

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1985 was an elegant vintage. This was a year of abundance and a very classic expression of the Bordeaux terroirs, with wines of balance and harmony often compared to the 1953 vintage. The year began with a bitterly cold January, which caused damage in some plots. In February, the weather was mild and pleasant, marking a huge difference after the previous month. March was rather cold for the season. We had to wait until the 31st for warm, sunny spring weather. The vines started to ripen around 3 April. In early May, the sunny weather continued and the vines grew rapidly.

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In some plots, we noticed that the extreme cold of January had done some real damage. The weather then turned and became quite wet. Luckily, the sun reappeared and provided the perfect conditions for the flowering. The weather remained warm throughout the summer, leading to optimum ripening and maturation. September saw record-breaking heat and dryness. This warm, sunny weather continued into October, allowing the grapes to be harvested while ripe and healthy, with supple, harmonious tannins and low acidity.

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At Château Palmer, 1985 was an intense, fresh, smooth vintage. It produced wines with an astonishing lightness lurking behind their apparent classicism. An extremely precise tannic texture caresses the palate, and the moderate alcohol content accentuates the pleasure of this very drinkable wine.

No one can achieve the impossible. 1984 left us helpless: vine growth stopped by biblical rain, early flowering, and grapes trying to ripen under torrential downpours. Exceedingly unfavourable weather conditions, which the winemaking process could not entirely erase.

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The New Year kicked off with a stormy, rainy January. February was sunny and cold, but March and April were beset by bad weather. These disruptions delayed growth. As a result, the vines got off to a late start on 10 April. The rest of the month was sunny and unusually warm. However, the development of the vines slowed in May as rainy weather set in until 5 June. The weather changed during the first summer month and there were two very hot weeks, causing flowering to progress too quickly.

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A sudden drop in temperature led to millerandage, meaning that grape development is halted or incomplete. The Merlot grapes were the worst affected and the harvest was already shaping up to be a poor one. Hot, dry weather set in from early July until 13 September, but two successive periods of rain disrupted the ripening process. Harvesting began in October, buffeted by Hurricane Hortense (which fortunately caused little damage), and then continued with more favourable weather.

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In these particularly challenging conditions, the 1984 vintage was the least successful of the 1980s, and showed no signs of promising ageing potential.

Clockwork weather. 1983 featured ideal conditions for each cycle of the vine’s development. The result was a legendary vintage for the Margaux appellation, with many wines surpassing even the complexity of the exceptional 1982. This was THE major vintage of the 1980s at Château Palmer.

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1983 is a powerful, lingering, complex vintage. It was the greatest Château Palmer of the 1980s. And yet, the first five months of the year spelled no such greatness! January and February alternated between cold and unseasonably mild weather. March was rather cold and rainy. The vines began to grow on the 28th, but April and May were wet and miserable. It rained and the nights were very cool. The vines did not grow well as a result. Spring began on 4 June with late flowering that caught up thanks to the arrival of hot, dry weather. The vines grew visibly and there was a very large standing crop.

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In the wake of a scorching July, August turned out to be just as hot but very wet. Fungus had a field day. Despite the conditions, the vines looked good and the veraison progressed splendidly. On 9 September, the weather brightened up, the wind shifted and the threat of disease began to fade. Thanks to a succession of warm, sunny days from late September to mid-October, the grapes’ sugar levels were similar to or even higher than those of 1982.

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1983 was a vintage of accumulation and intensity. The wines have very ripe tannins which, thanks to the gravelly terroir of Château Palmer, retain their full vigour and density. The wine is noble, with opulent fruit notes and an exceptional freshness that underlines its mellow character.

An exceptional vintage. And not just at Palmer. Unique climatic conditions throughout the year provided the foundation for these successes, favouring simultaneously early and abundant harvests. Work in the vats revealed extremely ripe grapes and supple tannins.

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1982 was one of the great Bordeaux vintages. Weather conditions were exceptionally favourable throughout the year. Initially, the winter was unusually fine and mild for the season. As a result, the vines budded early, starting on 16 March. In early April, the mornings were cool and the team feared frost. Fortunately, the vineyard was not affected and the vines grew rapidly from the 17th in hot, dry weather that lasted for some time. The first flowers appeared around 27 May. Flowering took place in excellent conditions.

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July was intensely hot. Ripening began on the 25th and the grapes ripened quickly in this weather. However, the vines began to suffer from the excessive drought. Luckily, August brought rain which hastened the veraison and encouraged grape growth. The vines looked magnificent and we prepared for a major harvest. Harvesting began on 15 September at Château Palmer in remarkable and almost unprecedented conditions. The grapes were extremely ripe, with low acidity and supple, fine tannins.

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The wines are sublime, brimming with sunshine and ripeness, rich and concentrated. You can feel the abundance and quality of the grapes, of the winemaking and the perfect conditions which allowed the Palmer terroir and style to express themselves to the full.

A game of cat and mouse. This is exactly how the weather played out in 1981. July was cold and wet, followed by hot and dry conditions, concluding with sporadic showers during the harvest. This was a vintage of great finesse, less concentrated than its legendary successors, but beautifully balanced.

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1981 is the sensual vintage at Château Palmer. The year began with seasonably wintry weather. February was beautiful but cold. In March, the weather was mild, causing the vines to flourish from the 26th. The first three weeks of April were warmer than normal for the season and the vines grew very quickly. In June, the weather was magnificent, providing ideal conditions for flowering. The vines reached full flower on the 12th.

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July was mediocre but the weather shifted to hot and dry starting on the 25th and lasted until 20 September. The ripening took place in conditions similar to those during flowering. Two periods of rain (26 and 27 September and 1 to 3 October) prevented the grapes from ripening fully, diluting them somewhat. Harvesting began on 1 October and the grapes were hurriedly picked by the bunch.

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The wines are medium-bodied, well-balanced and with a fine colour. The result is a good vintage, often described as a “classic”. On the palate, they are soft with rounded tannins. Over the years, the wines have retained this precision and delicacy while developing additional complexity.

Beauty in simplicity. While not a memorable or surprising Palmer, 1980 began as an enjoyable vintage. However, this wine is quietly developing, in its own way and at its own pace. As thing stand, it is proudly and modestly continuing to provide moments of pleasure. No unnecessary complications…

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In 1980, January and February were highly unstable, with alternating periods of mild weather and much sharper, colder snaps. In March, temperatures were very cool, which delayed vegetation growth. The sun appeared in early April, but the mornings were still very cool. Vine growth began on the 4th. A cold, wet spring delayed what turned out to be irregular flowering and led to severe coulure. The harvest was expected to be poor, particularly for the Merlot.

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July was rainy, and hot weather in August and September prevented the vines from making up for lost time. The ripening began around 18 August. This veraison was fairly slow, implying a very late harvest. We eventually began picking on 10 October, almost a month later than normal, and in cold, damp weather. We harvested the Merlot in fairly good conditions. The weight was quite low but the berries were still healthy and the acidity levels were normal.

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Most of the wines in this vintage reached their peak quickly. A rigorous selection enabled some of the growths to produce supple, colourful wines. The nose of this Palmer 1980 is fresh with iodine notes and beautiful scents of wilted roses, complemented by a finely acidic fruitiness on the palate. A simple wine that has retained its energy over time.

1979 has not gone down in history, and yet what a fine vintage it was! This goes to show that, even when conditions are far from perfect and a vintage does not enjoy a leading reputation, exquisite terroirs can reveal divine surprises…

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A sudden cold snap hit France in January 1979. February was less harsh, but the weather was quite wet. Conditions improved significantly from April onwards. The vines started growing around ten days later than in a normal year. The weather was very unstable and the vines struggled to develop. In early June, the warm weather finally arrived and the vines made great progress. The first flowers appeared around the 12th. This was followed by a few days of rain, which did not help the flowering process. Flowering was late and long. Fortunately, the vineyard was spared the ravages of coulure.

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The flowering was complete on 21 June, on a beautiful day that heralded the return of sunshine in a year of ups and downs. The forecasts of great quality were now joined by those of quantity, and did not disappoint – 1979 saw the largest harvest since 1934. All went well from then on, with a sunny summer and an ideal, late harvest that began on 3 October in very favourable conditions. The grapes were small but healthy, with lively tannins and good acidity, promising fine wines. Both colourful and firm, they produced wines that promise to develop slowly and age well.

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1979 at Château Palmer is a very winsome vintage with a great deal of finesse. The nose is expansive, complex, mineral and almost Burgundian in style. The finish is soft and quite substantial. In addition to the classic aromas that have developed over time, this wine continues to surprise with its mellow, refined tannins.

Alongside 1975, the other fine vintage from the 1970s – and a very late one at that. Underpinned by the strong presence of Cabernets during the assemblage, Château Palmer 1978 needed time to let its sternness mellow and reveal its true character.

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The year began with a cold winter. After a mixed March, the vines began to grow around the 27th. In early April, the weather was sunny but the nights were very cool and the vines struggled to make any progress. On the night of the 16th, the vineyards were hit by frost – particularly the Merlot. Vegetative growth was now almost two weeks behind schedule. May and June were cold and rainy, causing a further delay in vine growth. The vines reached full flowering on 19 June.

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While temperatures in June were the lowest in 30 years, the vines resisted. Nature is unpredictable, after all! The following two months were very average, maintaining the delay in growth and leading to a late harvest. Veraison began around 15 August. After some rain in early September, a high-pressure system set in and lasted until mid-November. These conditions saved the vintage. The harvest began on 9 October in summer-like weather.

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The grapes were described as almost “miraculously” ripe, producing high alcohol levels and good acidity. The resulting wines are particularly refined and elegant, well-balanced and with good concentration. With Cabernets very present in the assemblage, Château Palmer 1978 needed time to lose its initially stern character. Today, it perfectly anchors the estate within the Médoc terroir, and will continue to deliver an excellent experience for many years to come.

1976 was an early vintage, marked by a historic drought and an incredibly sunny summer. Yet despite such a scorching year, the harvest took place in lashing rain. Quite the mix of conditions…

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Winter was particularly mild. The vines started to grow on 25 March, during magnificent warm weather. In May, the weather was very dry and the vines grew rapidly. This climate meant that the vines began to flower very early. June continued in the same vein, with no rain. The conditions were similar to those usually encountered in July and August. Other crops suffered, but the vines were spectacular, entering into full bloom on 6 June. Flowering took place under excellent conditions and ripening advanced unhindered.

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July and August were scorching hot, with a few beneficial thunderstorms. However, the persistent drought began to suggests that the harvest would be slightly less abundant than expected. The grapes ripened well, with low yields. The weather took a turn for the worse from 9 September onwards, with rain and cold settling in to stay. Harvesting began early for fear of rot and, under otherwise sunny weather, the grapes were picked waterlogged, already ripe and low in acidity. Fortunately, the vinification process brought out the colour, tannins and rich flesh that had developed during the exceptional summer.

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1976 was the “heatwave vintage.” A sunny wine, balanced by showers. It is not extravagant, but the nose is exotic with notes of Eastern spices, cocoa and coffee. Aromatically very ripe, this Château Palmer remains perfectly balanced.

1975 left us with a few regrets. Thanks to optimal conditions, the grape skins were thick and the sugars concentrated – so much so that part of the harvest was carried out before the fruit was fully ripe. A fine vintage, but perhaps not quite as grand as predicted.

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1975 came on the heels of three rather disastrous years, and this vintage inspired a lot of hope. The year started with a very mild winter. By late February, the buds were swelling and ready to open. The vines began to grow on 5 March. This was a fortnight earlier than in normal years. Spring was just as mild, and flowering began on 9 June under very favourable conditions.

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July and August were hot and dry. The vines suffered from a lack of water, which meant that, given the time of year, the grapes were of good quality. A few showers cooled the atmosphere on 17 August. The rain did the vineyard a world of good and accelerated ripening. September promised to be just as sunny, but it rained for five days non-stop from the 12th. The growers decided to bring the harvest forward to 23 September. From the outset, everyone was enthusiastic about the richly coloured, full-bodied red wines.

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These tannins were powerful – some may even say coarse – in their youth, and have since had time to mellow. Château Palmer 1975 remains a powerful, leading vintage, although it requires a good airing before being enjoyed. It needed to be kept for several years before opening enough to be fully appreciated.

1971 is an overall moment of grace against the backdrop of highly contrasted vintage. Frequent spring showers damaged the vine flowers, and almost half of them died. Fortunately, the sun shone throughout the summer, driving the grapes to optimum ripeness.

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After a cold winter, the start of spring looked very promising. The vines began to grow on 12 April. Under the effect of the sudden heat, they developed incredibly quickly. From 22 April, rainy and cold weather set in and lasted until late June. Flowering was considerably disrupted. The flowering process was difficult overall and took place in poor conditions. Continuous rainfall caused severe coulure. The harvest was reduced by almost half.

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July and August were much milder. The summer was hot with some rain, helping the grapes to swell generously. Ripening took place under good conditions, despite some irregularities due to the flowering period. The weather remained fine during the harvest, enabling the grapes to be picked at optimum ripeness. The resulting wines are supple and fruity. The silky tannins contribute significantly to the sensation of harmony experienced when sampling this rare vintage.

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Château Palmer 1971 shows great finesse and elegance. It is long on the palate, but never exuberant. The finish in particular is incredibly well-balanced. A beautiful wine that expresses itself with grace. A small miracle in many ways and, in the context of such a challenging year, a real demonstration of the estate’s exceptional terroir.

One of the greatest success stories of the decade. After the often complicated vintages of the 1960s, the 1970s brought good weather and fantastic grapes along with it. This wine immediately acquired an excellent reputation.

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A cold, rainy spring delayed vegetative growth, which began on 14 April. The vines then enjoyed exceptional weather from June through to October. Flowering took place under excellent conditions, and the vineyard plots were magnificent. July went by without a drop of rain. Timely thunderstorms in August accelerated the veraison, which ended on the 26th in excellent conditions.

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The warmth of September helped the grapes to reach optimum ripeness and excellent concentration. The harvest began on the 29th in an optimistic atmosphere. The grapes were well-balanced and ready to reveal their full complexity. These near-perfect conditions produced a remarkable wine, often regarded as one of the estate’s greatest ever vintages between 1961 and 1982. Rich fruit, concentration and harmony are the watchwords for these wines.

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Château Palmer 1970 has always been demonstrative, open, round – revealing itself easily, and lasting beautifully through the years. Characterised by a robust structure but above all a surprising length on the palate, this is a great vintage, rich, ripe, and full.

Although little known even among connoisseurs, this gentle vintage still has a few surprises up its sleeve. With each tasting, 1967 reveals itself to be quite startling, somewhat unpredictable in its expression, and both delicate and complex. A wine waiting where you least expect it…

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The vines began to grow on 28 March. April was defined by good weather, despite a few minor frosts. Growth slowed in May. Flowering began in early June and took place under excellent conditions, heralding a very promising harvest. The following two months were encouraging – particularly July, with 27 rainless days and record temperatures. The vines were said to be suffering from a lack of water – a good sign for the future quality of the vintage. Long-awaited, heavy rains began to fall on 8 August.
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Unfortunately, cold temperatures and rain interrupted a very promising flowering and veraison process. In September, three periods of rain followed in quick succession, making ripening difficult and incomplete. Faced with the threat of disease, the harvest started early and took place partly in the rain. The vintage was abundant, but ripening was often incomplete and the harvest was diluted as a result. The grapes picked under such conditions lacked structure. Selective sorting of the grapes nevertheless produced round, elegant wines.
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Overall, Château Palmer 1967 has proved to be a highly surprising wine, spiced and sophisticated. This vintage, a little more restrained than others, has to be earned.

1966 is one of the legendary vintages that slowly built Château Palmer’s reputation. It is rare to taste a wine like this, in which tannins, acidity and alcohol content complement each other so well that they form a perfect blend. A vintage that should be reserved for the most delicate dishes.

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After a mild winter, vine growth got under way in late March and accelerated during a sunny month of April. The first flowers appeared in late May. Flowering conditions were good, despite a little rain on 9 and 10 June. The two summer months were more mixed. Rain in July, followed by sunny but relatively cool weather in August, delayed veraison and ripening. These combined factors led the press to predict a catastrophic vintage.

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Fortunately, the sun and warm weather returned on 26 August. The month of September continued in the same vein, encouraging strong ripening and almost guaranteeing the production of a successful vintage. The resulting, delicate acidity preserved the freshness and elegance of the fruit for many, many years to come.

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In the case of a legendary vintage like 1961, the words depth, complexity, exuberance and power immediately spring to mind. Here, in the 1966 vintage, we must think more in terms of minimalism and harmony. A fine, luminous vintage, offering remarkable precision and clarity on the palate, with everything exactly where it should be.

Overshadowed by its illustrious predecessor, 1962 is a little-known vintage about which very little is said. Yet it remains a surprising wine thanks to its structure, robustness, depth and substance. In short, a fine, late vintage.

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The winter ended without a hitch. The cool temperatures of February and April slowed down vegetative growth, which started on 10 April three weeks behind schedule. On the 24th and 25th, the weather was spring-like and everything grew extremely quickly. But the conditions became unstable and rainy again in May, and the vines struggled. They managed to make up for lost time in early June and were in full bloom on the 17th under exceptional conditions. The only slight coulure occurred following the heatwave on 23 May.
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July was cool and wet, and ended with a hailstorm, which fortunately did no damage to the Château Palmer vineyard. In August, the hot, dry weather gave the vines hope, despite the fact that development had been delayed the previous month. However, veraison was slow to finish and spelled a late harvest. Temperatures plummeted with the arrival of rain on 25 September. The harvest began on 1 October, with optimistic forecasts for both quality and volume. In fact, it turned out to be the most abundant harvest of the 1960s.
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The architecture of this vintage has stood the test of time. While very powerful in its youth, this highly sensitive wine now stands out for its freshness, balance and scents of aromatic wild herbs. Its structure suggests that it has certainly not reached the end of its development…

1961 was a seminal vintage for Château Palmer. It had a complicated start, with frost, drought and a paltry harvest. But the wine – despite being misunderstood in its early days due to its powerful flavour and aggressive tannins – went on to become a legend of the Bordeaux region…

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The fine, almost spring-like weather in late February led to weeping amid the vines. The growers feared frost, but March was sunny without a drop of rain. The vines grew visibly. Then, on 21 and 29 March, two successive frosts weakened the vineyard but without causing too much damage. The fine weather in May triggered very early flowering on the 16th, but unseasonably cold weather hampered fertilisation and caused the flowering to lag. There was considerable coulure and a small harvest was expected as a result.

A very hot, dry summer leading into September dried out the grapes and the vines suffered. The harvest began on 19 September under a blazing sun. Abundant rain came on the 20th to save the day and temperatures dropped, allowing the grapes to reach exceptional ripeness. The combination of small volumes and high concentration resulted in an incredible level of quality. Right from the vinification stage, the colour, sugar content and tannins were extraordinary.
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This is a wine that keeps on giving, at the heights of complexity and with an incredible depth. Its consistency and unctuousness, bordering on liqueur-like, continue to win over connoisseurs. Thomas Duroux has said that 1961 is “the vintage that contributed more than any other to the reputation and legend of Château Palmer.

Near-perfect conditions. In 1959, everything came together to produce a historical vintage – a warm, sunny spring, dry months of July and August, and welcome rainfall in September. Full-bodied, powerful, rich and opulent, the wines in this vintage grow ever more delicate and sensual with age.

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‍1959 is an exceptional vintage. It was the first to be described as the “vintage of the century.” After a relatively mild winter, the vines began to grow on 25 March. The major diurnal temperature variations in early April encouraged the vines to continue growing. Spring came early and was mild and sunny. The first flowers appeared on 26 May, and the flowering proceeded under excellent conditions. Full flowering was observed on 6 June. July was dry and very hot, with record levels of sunshine. The first grapes changed colour on 28 July. August was also very dry and the vines began to suffer from a lack of water. Ripening was delayed until the much-needed rains arrived in mid-September. Harvesting began on 21 September amid the gusts of an anticyclone.

After a hot, dry year with a few long-awaited showers, 1959 was one of Palmer’s exceptional vintages. The wines are full-bodied and powerful, rich and opulent, colourful and supple.