PALMER 2008

Palmer

Château Comments

There exists a vineyard within the Margaux appellation that alone can claim to approach the quality of the First Classified Growths. "Third officially, second unofficially, and first in potential," affirm the Sichel and Mälher-Besse families, who have owned Château Palmer since 1938. It can only be confirmed that the rank of this legendary wine is inconsistent with the 1855 classification and its Third Grand Cru Classé status.
Château Palmer crafts an exceptional wine that is delicate, subtle, and fragrant, blending fruits, flowers, and spices. The tannins, of remarkable smoothness, transpose this unique terroir, which is now biodynamically farmed. Palmer strikes a balance between aromatic richness and a structure of radiant silkiness, making it a wine of unparalleled charm.

History of the Château

General Palmer was a British Officer who purchased an estate in the village of Margaux from the Gasq family in 1814. The General, a man of passion, dedicated a great deal of time and money to this estate, expanding the vineyard to 82 hectares by 1830. Due to financial reasons, he was forced to sell his property in 1843. However, his name and his commitment to excellence remained inherent to the Château.

In June 1853, two banker brothers and rivals of the Rothschilds, the Péreires, became the new owners of the château. They too were extraordinary individuals, who amassed their wealth during the reconstruction of France under Napoleon III. They are best known for creating the famous seaside resort of Arcachon.

Just two years later, the Château was ranked as a Third Growth, although many tasters considered it to be on par with the First Growths. The Péreires continued to enhance Château Palmer and reorganize the vineyard. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were not kind to the Bordeaux vineyards, and the crisis of 1930 forced the bankers to relinquish the Château. It was then taken over by four Bordeaux families, including the Mähler-Besse and Sichel families, who remain shareholders of the Château to this day.

Following the tragedies of the Second World War, the 1950s saw the reconstruction of the vineyard. With the support of the Chardon Family, a dynasty of managers present at Château Palmer since 1893, and the investment of the owners, Château Palmer made history by producing sublime vintages such as 1961, still rated 99 by Robert Parker, which has become a true legend in Margaux.

<b>Today</b>

In 2004, the shareholders entrusted the reins of Château Palmer to Thomas Duroux, an agricultural engineer and oenologist. At 34, he brought his ten years of global experience from working with the best (Tuscany, California...). Always in pursuit of perfection, he innovates through tradition. Sandy gravel on the surface and clay deeper down form this unique terroir that is at the heart of Palmer's style. “What's fascinating is that, despite four hundred years of history, we're still discovering new things, gradually revealing new aspects.