Bordeaux 2020 En Primeur | Château Palmer

"Elegant, balanced and classical" Jane Anson, Decanter

We are pleased to announce the launch of Chateau Palmer 2020.

Rooted now for more than a decade in the principles of biodynamics, Palmer’s wines progress towards an ever clearer expression of their terroir. There is so much Burgundian flair in this Cru Classe’ some can even place Palmer in completely different category. Reserved and introspective, Chateau Palmer is a wine which seduces the braves who employ patience with their bottles, a bit like with the great wines of Musigny. The passing of time is pivotal for the unfolding of all the sinewy layers composing this exceptional Margaux. In the wake of an extraordinary 2018 and a 2019 of profound elegance (the former gaining several perfect 100 points scores from critics earlier this year), the 2020 vintage of Château Palmer, with its class and sensuality, rounds off a truly exceptional trilogy. While Margaux, with its First Growth status, is still king of the appellation, Palmer keeps knocking at its door, with both quality and secondary market performance making this Third Growth an hidden gem prized by savvy buyers and lovers of classically built wines.

We hear Neal Martin visited the Chateau last week, and we expect his expert quality assessment to reach the public on Thursday. So far, only Jane Anson was allowed in the cellars, reporting on a “velvety and seductive” Grand Vin showing intensity, elegance and balance. Knowing the love Neal Martin nurtures for this Chateau, we anticipate a very high score for this jewel.

Thanks to a direct relationship with the Chateau, Wine Source offers ex-cellar access to Palmer.

We kindly invite you to register your interest by reply.

Coming from a dedicated 8ha of vines, Alter Ego is no second wine. Back in 1998, the owners of Chateau Palmer eyed a prized plot within Margaux, and decided to give birth to a different expression of their magical terroir. Alter Ego has since gained its own loyal following, and the newly released 2020 vintage will surely delight the palates of all its aficionados.

Year 2020 is making headlines as the third vintage in a Trilogy of top notch millésime in Bordeaux. Chateau Palmer is running on a winning streak, with its 2018 vintage receiving perfect 100 points scores from major critics just few months ago. Thomas Duroux and his team are crafting memorable wines, and the international wine community is never short of praises for their latest creations.

While the Grand Vin will be released in coming weeks, by releasing their Alter Ego 2020, the Chateau is giving us a preview on what sort of quality we should expect - our hearts are skipping a beat - in 2020 Alter Ego is simply stunning.

Jane Anson, one of the few critics who managed to visit the property, reports back on the "real purity of flavour" one can find in this phenomenal Margaux. Tannins are very present at this early stage, yet the Decanter Wine Critic notices how Alter Ego have delivered the most refined tannic structure she tasted this year. As we all know, tannins are the bread and butter for long bottle ageing, and this Alter Ego will require patience in order to fully blossom. Once Alter Ego 2020 will burn its baby fat, you will be rewarded by one of the most gourmand examples of this famed wine. James Lawther MW recommends to open from 2026. We suggest to stick to his advice, if you manage to resist temptation!

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

FINE WINE TEAM
WINE SOURCE

2020
CHATEAU PALMER

€ 1,681 per 6 Bottles IB
€ 1,687 per 3x150cl Magnums
€ 1,156 per 1x300cl Double Magnum
€ 2,288 per 1x600cl Imperial

Blend: 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot

97 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter
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. The overall feel is precise, slow and seductive, with appellation and estate signature at every turn. Sappy, hawthorn freshness, rosemary, redcurrant, tobacco, cigar box and dark chocolate shavings on the finish. 3.77pH, 78IPT, 55% of overall production, with 13% press wine. Drinking Window 2028 - 2044

2020
CHATEAU PALMER, ALTER EGO

Margaux

€ 353 per 6 Bottles IB
€ 358 per 3x150cl Magnums
€ 270 per 1x300cl Double Magnum
€ 517 per 1x600cl Imperial

Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot

93 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter
"Chocolate shavings and smoked coffee bean on the nose, it's a vintage where you can't get away from the tannins, but here they have sinew and juice, like the best translation of the tannins in the year. This has real purity of fruit (very low SO2 addition at Palmer), together with the gourmet touch that you want in Alter Ego. 45% of overall production. 3.73pH. Survived mildew better than in 2018 because of experience in dealing with the conditions. August 15 to 29 for the harvest. A yield of 31hl/ha. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038"

17+/20 Points, James Lawther MW, Jancis Robinson
"Very much in the Alter Ego mould – lively, fruit-driven with that vineyard-fresh feel but with a little more structure than previous years. Pure and appetising but will age. Drink 2026-2035"