Champagne Palmer & Co. Vintage 1999
(Champagne, France)

About the winery:

Palmer collection champagnes are made from the grapes of a single exceptional year. A prestigious collection of vintage champagnes, all of which are safeguarded in their 18-meter-deep chalk cellars. Each Collection is unique and possesses the distinctive, imitable qualities of that year’s outstanding grapes. These wines are elevated to their fullest expression through the know how, the experience of Palmer & Co and of course through the time factor, so closely connected to the inimitable Palmer style. Consisting exclusively of Grand and Premier Crus (Chardonnays and Pinots Noirs) from the Montagne de Reims area, Palmer Collection Vintage is always a subtle association of a particular climatic year and the Palmer style. The cuvées have been selected by cellar master Xavier Berdin and Palmer's four oenologists for their superior quality and ageing potential. Started in 1947 when Palmer was established, the collections also include some of the best vintages of the last 40 years: 1999, 1996, 1987, 1985, 1979 or 1976.

The bottles, magnums, and larger formats, are stored upside down in our cellars for twenty years or more. The very long ageing process gives an intense and complex character to these great wines while at the same time ensuring that they remain remarkably fresh to the palate

Weather: The 1999 season began with hailstorms in May which destroyed many vines, though as the year went on warmer weather prevailed throughout July and August. The year developed promisingly with high expectations, until heavy rainfall in the second week of September contributed to the loss of many crops. Despite the rain the grapes had maturated well in the long summer and early concerns over dilution of flavour never became an issue.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Premier & Grand Cru: Chardonnay: Trepail, Villers Marmery | Pinot Noir: Verzenay, Mailly, Verzy, Rilly La Montagne
Grape Varieties: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Aged on the lees: 17 years
Dosage: 7 g/l
Disgorged: November 2017
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Notes: full and forward nose showing a lot of fruit, ripe apples, pineapple, limes and loads of creamy custard with great balance on the palate; dried fruits apricots, dried lime and pineapple come through with nuttiness and underlying butteriness like in flaky pasty. Beautifully balanced, full and elegant.