100
Jeb Dunnuck Tasting Note
The finest vintage I’ve ever tasted from this estate, surpassing the 2009 and 2010, the 2016 Château Palmer is a blend of 47% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 65% new French oak. This magical effort reveals a saturated purple color as well as a huge nose of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and spring flowers, and it develops beautifully with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, incredibly concentrated and powerful, it nevertheless just glides over the palate with flawless purity and balance, present, ripe tannins, and a finish that just won’t quit. This is Bordeaux at its most regal and classic. It will be drinkable with just 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for half a century.
94
Wine Spectator Tasting Note
This is a very solid rendering, with a core of steeped blackberry, black currant and fig fruit flavors that are juicy and well-defined. The back end picks up lots of graphite, tobacco, anise and violet notes while maintaining focus and energy. Shows latent depth as the fruit echoes steadily. Best from 2023 through 2038.
97
Vinous Tasting Note
The 2016 Palmer has an exquisite bouquet with gushing violet petals infusing the black fruit, very well defined, certainly one of the most opulent Left Bank wines. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins, sweet but never cloying, the acidity maintaining tension, with plenty of spice surging through on the finish. Superb. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting in London.
98
James Suckling Tasting Note
Tar, smoke, dark chocolate, dark berries, tobacco, and earth on the nose. Precise, focused tannins and dark fruit on the palate. Compact yet expressive, showing attractive harmony. Layered and persistent. Approachable with some aeration, but will benefit from continued aging. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
97
Wine Advocate Tasting Note
The 2016 Palmer is a blend of 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Opaque garnet-purple colored, it slowly glides out of the glass with compelling notes of blueberry compote, warm cassis and kirsch with emerging hints of violets, cigar box, black tea, sandalwood and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, wonderfully rich, concentrated and packed with latent energy, the palate literally grows in the mouth, revealing layer upon layer of black, blue and red fruits and tons of floral sparks, framed by super ripe, incredibly fine-grained tannins and finishing with epic length. It’s a wine that makes you wanna drape yourself languidly over a chaise lounge, glass of Palmer in hand, sighing with deep satisfaction, “This is so wonderfully Palmer.”