Palmer & Alter Ego 2020

This morning sees another exceptional En Primeur release, Chateau Palmer 2020, offered today at £1,440 per case of six or £2,880 per 12. Despite its Third Growth classification Palmer is considered by critics to be amongst the best produced wines anywhere in Bordeaux, second only to Chateau Margaux itself in the village of Margaux. This year they released a classical Palmer, incredibly refined and elegant, a wine which will certainly take its well-deserved place among the Chateau’s best vintages. 

Thomas Duroux, the Estate manager, did not send samples of the 2020 to the critics due to the low SO2 levels and instability of the wine at this stage (the Chateau has been following biodynamic principles for more than a decade, using only a tiny amount of sulphur in production). However the 2020 Palmer, has been tasted by Bordeaux-based Jane Anson of Decanter, whose review is no short of accolades: “Vivid colours, and the aromatics grab hold straight away. This is intense and concentrated, elegant, balanced and classical, all about the texture which is velvety and seductive with softly-grained tannins. Moves oh so slowly through the palate with dozens of layers to get hold of.” Anson awards 2020 Palmer with 97 points and goes on saying, “The overall feel is precise, slow and seductive, with appellation and estate signature at every turn.” Palmer 2020 is a blend of 48% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. This great singular wine will undoubtedly require a long ageing period to tame its vigorous personality.

Palmer regularly surpasses the price and the Parker points of all Second Growths being widely recognised among the top wines of Bordeaux. Palmer is renowned for its beauty, perfume and concentration, its relatively high proportion of Merlot grapes in the blend makes it the Médoc’s most similar wine to Pomerol. The wine has a velvety smoothness with a high concentration of berry fruits and a floral nose of spring flowers. We can expect the Chateau to stay true to form and achieve a score akin to the other modern-day greats.