2023 Château Palmer En Primeur
"A breathtaking wine...There is no other wine like Palmer in Bordeaux...98-100 points." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
2023 Château Palmer and its second wine Alter Ego de Palmer are released this afternoon for sale en primeur. The grand vin is offered at £1440 per six bottles, down 19.5% on last year's release. This relatively confident stance on pricing reflects the fact that, in the eyes of critics and the market, Palmer is in a league of its own. Galloni's description and potentially perfect score set the tone for the reception of the 2023 vintage.
When we visited Palmer in late April, there was once again a sense of dynamism about the team. Palmer's Technical Director and winemaking guru Thomas Duroux appears to be galvanising the estate with his energy and focus on perfection. One of his key decisions was to take the risk to harvest late this year, with the Cabernet harvest continuing until October 5th. The elevage was begun in 50% new oak barrels, before being transferred to large wooden foudres, to reduce the influence of new oak and allow Palmer's terroir to express itself.
Of all the second wines from top estates, Alter Ego de Palmer has most convincingly established itself as a wine in its own right, and the 2023 is another strong showing, earning scores from Suckling that equal many grand vins.
We recommend placing your order for both wines as soon as possible.
Offered en primeur, landing spring 2026.
Magnums available with £20 ex-VAT bottling surcharge, please enquire re other formats.
To order, e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk
Producer Profile
Château Palmer, Margaux
Château Palmer is a Troisième Cru Classé estate in the commune of Margaux. Originally the vineyards were part of the d'Issan estate, but became known as Château de Gasq when they were purchased by the family of the same name. The estate acquired its modern name in 1814, when it was bought by the English general, Charles Palmer, on his way back from the Peninsular War where he had fought with Wellington against Napoleon. Palmer eventually died bankrupt, having spent his wealth on his vines!
In 1938, the Sichel family joined forces with a group of wine merchant friends to purchase the property (originally including the Ginestet and Miailhe families). Today, the majority shareholders of Sichel and Mahler-Besse, with a number of other minority shareholders.
The vineyard is 52 hectares of 'croupes' (knolls) of Garonne gravel, planted to 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Thomas Duroux, formerly winemaker at Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia, has been in charge since 2004. The estate is run biodynamically.
The second wine, Alter Ego de Palmer, has become increasingly serious in recent years, so much so that in fact Palmer now sees this as not a second wine as such, but as a wine in its own right, with the grapes coming from a dedicated vineyard.
| RED | 2023 | Château Palmer | 75cl | £0 per case of 12 | Château Palmer 2023 / / 75cl £0 per case of 12 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Palmer represents two-thirds of the crop this year, raised in barrel (50% new) until July, then racked into 3,000-liter foudres for another 12 months. My sample was representative of the new oak ratio. The nose is very intense, as normal, loaded with blackberry, boysenberry, violet and veins of blood orange in the background. Powerful, though not in the same way as the barnstorming 2022, it manages to retain focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip on the entry. This is quite a deep Palmer with touches of licorice-tinged black fruit. It’s more opulent than almost all other Margaux wines this vintage, furnished with black pepper and allspice on the finish. It will require several years in bottle. The 2023 Palmer is one of the most long-term, serious wines on the Left Bank. 95-97 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Director Thomas Duroux and his team elected to harvest late in pursuit of full maturity, beginning with the Merlot on September 11 and finishing the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5 to produce a beautiful 2023 Palmer, redolent of cherries, wild berries, rose petals and violets. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it's medium to full-bodied, plush and enveloping, with a cool core of fruit, succulent acids, ultra-refined tannins and a seamless, complete profile. 96-97 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The vivid density and structure to this is really captivating, with pure blackcurrant character. Full-bodied with very silky, refined and ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caresses every inch of the palate. It's seems like it will be large and overpowering, but it's actually ethereal and cloud-like. The tannin quality is so refined and, in a way, weightless. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 46% merlot and 4% petit verdot. 97-98 points" jamessuckling.com |
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| RED | 2023 | Château Palmer - Alter Ego de Palmer | 75cl | £354 per case of 6 | Château Palmer Alter Ego de Palmer 2023 / / 75cl £354 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2023 Alter Ego represents one-third of the crop, coming exclusively from gravel soil and picked at 32hL/ha. It displays a very deep purple hue. The bouquet is notably opulent, with the Merlot very expressive and shaping the aromatics at the moment. Hints of cassis and violets lurk beneath, perhaps needing a little more delineation. The palate is actually cut from a slightly different cloth, more restrained and a touch spicier than expected. Graphite and tobacco emerge toward the finish, as if the reins have been passed over to the Cabernet component. This will be fascinating to revisit in bottle—I would just like to see more aromatic composure. 92-94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"Composing one-third of the production, the 2023 Alter Ego De Palmer is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. It's an inky hued second wine that has a round, medium to full-bodied, ripe, downright sexy profile as well as ample red and blue fruits, some violet and graphite notes, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I'd be thrilled to drink this gorgeous 2023 any time over the coming 15-20 years. While I don't think 2023 is the best vintage for the second wines, this is brilliant. 92-94 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"Wafting from the glass with pure aromas of cherries, berries, plums and potpourri, the 2023 Alter Ego de Palmer is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a vigorous core of fruit framed by supple tannins. It's a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. 92-94 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"This is dense and velvety with a creamy texture. Blackberry, blueberry and stone aromas and flavors. Layered. Very primary and focused. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot and 4% petit verdot. 95-96 points" jamessuckling.com |
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