Chateau Palmer Margaux Grand Cru 2011
(Bordeaux, France) - [WA 96] [DM 94] [WS 93]

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:
A half-century after the legendary 1961 vintage, this year’s wine stood out for its extremely low yields, the result of hail, and, in June, extreme heat. The concentrated result was both beautiful and unexpected, which should herald excellent aging potential.

In an exceptionally hot, dry climate, the vines began budding three weeks ahead of their usual growth cycle calendar. The first flowers illuminated the vineyard on May 10. The absence of precipitation accentuated water stress among the vines, and we noticed a few cases of coulure in our older plots of Merlot. On June 4, the berries were already formed when a violent hailstorm hit the vineyard and destroyed half the crop. The vines were reeling, having sustained damage to both its body and its fruit.

After grinding to a halt for ten days, it made up for lost time in what had become a dry, sunny context, putting out multiple leaves and buds. The summer season began under the scorching sun. June 26 and 27 proved to be the two hottest days of the year, peaking at 38.8°C (101.8°F) in the shade. Young grapes suffered in these searing conditions. Some of them, particularly on the most exposed plots, charred and fell to the ground. This “scalding” generated a further reduction in quality for the vintage.

Mid-July, the climate became more regular, temperatures dropped, and the vines recovered. The ripening took place in positive conditions. Light rain delayed the start of the harvest by ten days, but it finally began on September 7 under a bright sun and in a serene climate. Having reached maturity despite a very early growth cycle, the Merlots and Cabernets displayed a bold acidity and an interesting concentration of precise tannins, guaranteeing this vintages incredible potential for development.

Merlot 55%

Cabernet Sauvignon 45%

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The opaque blue/purple-colored 2011 Palmer reveals a stunning bouquet of licorice, truffles, camphor, spring flowers, black raspberries and black currants. One of the superstars of the vintage, this brilliant 2011 possesses superb concentration and purity, medium to full body, and remarkable length of close to a minute. A tour de force in winemaking, the Palmer team merits accolades for achieving this level of quality in a more challenging vintage than either 2009 or 2010. The “wine of the vintage” in Margaux, tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, a final blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a severe selection (only 55% of the production made it into Palmer) are the reasons for this success." - Robert Parker (Apr 2014)

94 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A multi-faceted wine with no Petit Verdot in the blend given the concentration of the Merlot (55%), which is unusually dominant, and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) from the smallest harvest before 2018, since 1961. This has a wonderfully evocative nose, perfumed with violets, plums, cherries and blueberries. On the palate there is bright acidity, still so juicy and alive with a cool blue fruit touch and menthol edges. Precise yet still structured - you're reminded that this is a serious wine, and at this 10 year mark, there is still such life and energy that it will go on and on. Delicious." - Georgina Hindle (Jul 2021)

93 Points - Wine Spectator: 
"Offers a range of charcoal, bay and dark licorice notes out front, backed by an ample core of steeped blackberry and black currant fruit. The charcoal-studded finish has serious grip and pleasantly layered flesh. Should unwind in the cellar, but needs time. Trust it. Best from 2017 through 2030." - James Molesworth (Mar 2014)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2011 Palmer has a delineated, focused, razor-sharp bouquet with blackberry and bilberry scents, demonstrated more mineralité than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, moderate depth, straightlaced and uncomplicated with satisfying freshness and grip on the finish. Not memorable, but certainly well-crafted and might improve with continued bottle age. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. (Drink between 2022-2032)" - Neal Martin (Apr 2022)