97
Jeb Dunnuck Tasting Note
The 2019 Château Palmer is even richer, with a stacked, full-bodied, concentrated profile as well as beautiful notes of ripe black cherries, blackcurrants, lead pencil, tobacco leaf, and chocolate. I love its mid-palate, it has building, ripe, yet substantial tannins, tons of fat and glycerin, and a gorgeous finish. I don't think it will ultimately match the 2009, 2016, or 2018, but it's nevertheless a brilliant wine as well as one of the stars of the show from Margaux. It will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age (it already offers pleasure) and have 30-40 years of overall longevity.
96
Wine Spectator Tasting Note
This is riveting, with terrific tarry grip coursing underneath layers of smoldering bay leaf, warm plum confiture, freshly brewed espresso, dark cassis and well-steeped black tea. The charcoal and tobacco backdrop is gorgeous and should move forward through the core of fruit over time. Be patient though, as the structure is ironclad. This will really be electric once mature. Best from 2017 through 2040.
99
Vinous Tasting Note
The 2019 Palmer was always going to be stylistically a completely different kettle of fish than the preceding vintage. It was bottled in early August 2021. As winemaker Thomas Duroux foretold, it’s a much more classically styled Palmer, offering blackberry, briary and pressed iris petals scents rather than violet, along with a distinct marine influence; a touch of sea spray comes through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, tightly knit on the entry, and very fresh and saline, with just a very slight bitter edginess toward the almost Côte de Nuits–like finish (especially returning to my glass after 20 minutes). Quintessential Palmer, this will require 4–6 years in bottle.
99
James Suckling Tasting Note
So much sweet tobacco, stone, brambleberry and currant on the nose. The palate is full and compact with very polished tannins, yet they are solid and sturdy and run the length and width of the wine. Energetic acidity. Very structured and powerful, yet agile and impressive. Historic feel. From biodynamically grown grapes. This needs at least six years of bottle age to soften. Try after 2027.
96
Wine Advocate Tasting Note
The 2019 Palmer is a rich, dramatic wine that soars from the glass with aromas of cherries, blackberries and berry fruit liqueur mingled with notions of violets, rose petals and sweet spices. Full-bodied, layered and seamless, it's powerful and immensely concentrated, with an enveloping core of lively fruit that largely conceals the wine's ripe, powdery structuring tannins. Concluding with a long, penetrating finish, it's a brilliant rendition of the contemporary Palmer style from Thomas Duroux and his team.