Chateau Palmer Margaux Grand Cru 2010
(Bordeaux, France) - [JD 98] [JS 98] [DM 98] [WE 97] [WA 96+] [VM 96] [WS 96]

About the Winery:
Chateau Palmer earned the title of Troisième Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification but the Chateau began to make a name for itself in 1814, when Colonel Charles Palmer bought it from Marie de Gascq, investing considerable sums in it. Currently, the Domaine is jointly owned by the Sichel and Mähler-Besse families, who continue to enhance its reputation.

The vineyard covers 55 hectares, planted with 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. The vineyards have been managed entirely according to biodynamic principles since 2014. The wines age for 20 to 22 months in oak barrels, 50% of which are new.

Renowned for the finesse and elegance of its wines, since 1998 the estate has produced a second wine, Palmer's Alter Ego, , drawn from the same terroirs but vinified separately to yield an earlier-drinking wine.

About this Wine:
We find ourselves intimidated by this monumental wine. Rarely have the grapes given us so much pleasure and delight. Complexity, depth, and an enchanting mouthfeel are the main characteristics of this immense vintage. The year 2010 will go down in history…

2010 is a heavenly vintage. In terms of quality, it benefited from exceptionally favorable weather. After a late start to the growing season that protected the vines from spring frosts, budding took place evenly in April. By late May, the quality potential also proved to be excellent. Fertilization was greatly hampered by a cold, wet period in June that caused an uneven spread of flowering and led to a significant amount of coulure, dashing hopes of a large crop.

July was particularly warm, eliminating any heterogeneity in the vines after flowering, while the initial ripening occurred quickly. This beautiful weather lasted without interruption until the end of the harvest. The 2010 vintage was also characterized by a lack of water, which continued throughout the summer. The result was very small berries with surprisingly rich aromas and the retention of a certain acidity. Some welcome rain in the second week of September accelerated the ripening of the skins.

In these favorable conditions, we were able to take our time and pick each plot at peak ripeness. The harvest was the longest in Château Palmer’s recent history. The precise choice of ripeness and finely controlled extractions enabled us to tame the strength and power of this vintage. 2010 is like a finely cut diamond that, over time, will fully express the full delicacy of Château Palmer’s terroir.

Merlot 54%

Cabernet Sauvignon 40%

Petit Verdot 6%

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2010 Château Palmer offers a beautiful nose (it reminds me of the 2022, surprisingly) with darker black and blue fruits, violets, saddle leather, and incense notes, as well as a concentrated, rich, full-bodied style on the palate. It stays focused and pure, with beautiful tannins, a complex, layered texture, and a ripe, sexy profile that’s already impossible to resist. I might give the nod to the 2009 here, but this is a riveting Palmer that has so much to love. Drink bottles any time over the coming 3-4 decades. Drink 2025-2065. (Drink between 2025-2065)" (Jun 2025)

98 Points - James Suckling:
"A purity of fruit here with plum and dark chocolate undertones. Spices and treacle tart as well. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. Very fine indeed. Fit, fruity and reserved. Superb. Try in 2020." (Nov 2013)

98 Points - Decanter Magazine: 
This is delightful and full of pleasurable, powerful and precisely carved fruits yet muscular and broad-framed, I have tasted this wine many times and once again I am reminded of how lucky I am that this is the case. Damson, slate, rich earthy loam, menthol and crushed rocks, just bursting with vivacity, life, freshness and enjoyment. Love it; shows exactly why we love Palmer. 2020-2050.

97 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"While outwardly this wine is generous and opulent with great juicy sweetness, the core is structured and powerful. The wine is concentrated and complex, with dark tannins and a brooding, dense texture. This is a wine with a long-lived future." - Roger Voss (May 2013)

96+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Palmer rolls out of the glass with warm cassis, baked plums and boysenberries scents plus hints of candied violets, star anise and dried bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is generously fruited, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long." - LPB (Mar 2020)

96 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2010 Palmer has an outgoing, intense and multifaceted bouquet with black cherries, boysenberry, crushed violets and hints of cassis - your quintessential Margaux turned up to eleven. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Headier than its Margaux peers, it builds in the mouth with a complex, marine-tinged finish with cracked black pepper lingering on the aftertaste. This is an outstanding Palmer but it needs more time in bottle. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. (Drink between 2026-2070)" - Neal Martin (Apr 2020)

96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"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. 8,500 cases made." - JM (Mar 2013)