Chateau Palmer Margaux 2012

A grand cru is a matter of origin in time as in space. The Chateau Palmer style is embedded in history and dedicated to the expression of its terroir. It is a style beyond fashion and trends. To experience its timelessness, there is no better way than to taste it. Again and again. Finesse and elegance, typical of the great wines of Margaux, are the permanent trademarks of Chateau Palmer, characterized by the softness and refinement of silk, the warmth of velvet, and the leather of noblesse. The unusual combination of grape varieties – as much Merlot as Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Petit Verdot – gives Chateau Palmer a bouquet of extraordinary complexity, with fruit, flowers, and spice wrapped in a fleshy and generous structure. The subtle balance between aromatic richness and powerful yet always restrained tannins makes Palmer a wine of incomparable charm, even when very young. Its length leaves the persistent memory of a heady mix of sensations and emotions. Long barrel ageing is essential for Chateau Palmer to give full expression to its gravely soil and reveal all its body and flesh. This ageing continues very slowly for many years and even decades in the bottle. Your patience will be generously rewarded when you taste an old vintage. It exudes a particularly rich and complex aromatic finish, sometimes exotic, always unforgettable. Wine tasting is a meeting of two living bodies as they surrender to each other, the human being and the wine. Tasters always have expectations from the wine they choose: good wines meet them; Chateau Palmer exceeds them.

Real charm here with well defined aromas of blackberry, vanilla and violets. Duroux has managed to coax some plump ripeness from this cool-ish classical vintage and there’s a beguilingly sweet cassis and blackberry pastille character alongside some cream and leather. The acidity is spot on and the framing tannins are refined and grainy. Not a long keeper, but this has plenty of promise and pleasure ahead.

Magnificent black-red, wonderful concentration with velvety density of texture, superbly rich yet elegant, exotic yet constrained, great wine.