There's not much to say about the 2023 Palmer. It was exceptionally beautiful en primeur, and it is all that today. Black cherry, plum, gravel, incense, truffle, licorice and chocolate soar from the glass. Texturally gorgeous and riveting, Palmer delivers on all fronts in 2023. As always, Palmer is one of the most distinctive wines in Bordeaux. It's next to impossible to say we are on the Left Bank.
Sensational aromatics of ripe black cherries, blueberries, chocolate, roasted herbs, graphite, and violets emerge from the 2023 Château Palmer, a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot that spent 12 months in 60% new French oak followed by 12 months in foudre. It's deep, rich, and full-bodied on the palate, with flawless balance, ripe, polished tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It brings another level of brilliance, elegance, and finesse yet is deep, rich, and incredibly pure. It's one of the wines of the vintage and is distinctly Palmer! Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 30 years or more. There are roughly 11,500 cases produced. Drink 2030-2060.
Immediately captivating on the palate because of the fruit purity and concentration without undue weight. Chewy but supple, not over the top, tannins perfectly matched to the acidity. A truly seductive wine, not from exuberance but for sheer perfume and texture. There’s bite, pillowiness and length: great composition, so much energy but it’s refreshing and leaves the mouth watering at the end. Fun yet so well made. Utterly irresistible.
97-98 The vivid density and structure to this is really captivating, with pure blackcurrant character. Full-bodied with very silky, refined and ultra-fine tannins and an exquisite finish. Caresses every inch of the palate. It's seems like it will be large and overpowering, but it's actually ethereal and cloud-like. The tannin quality is so refined and, in a way, weightless. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 46% merlot and 4% petit verdot.
96-98 Barrel Sample. This powerful wine has solid black tannins and rich juicy black fruits. It is dense and concentrated with a dark structure and great potential. It is organic and biodynamic.
TWI
98pts
The Wine Independent
96-98 The 2023 Palmer is opaque purple-black in color. A little broody and subdued to start, notes of tar, damp soil, and crushed rocks soon give way to a core of fresh blackcurrants, wild blueberries, and Morello cherries with a touch of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate delivers bright, shimmery black and red berry flavors with a satiny texture and racy backbone, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot.
96-97 Director Thomas Duroux and his team elected to harvest late in pursuit of full maturity, beginning with the Merlot on September 11 and finishing the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 5 to produce a beautiful 2023 Palmer, redolent of cherries, wild berries, rose petals and violets. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, it's medium to full-bodied, plush and enveloping, with a cool core of fruit, succulent acids, ultra-refined tannins and a seamless, complete profile.
This is youthfully compact, with a winey core of black cherry, blackberry and boysenberry preserves that rides along the juicy and nicely inlaid acidity, while dried violet, rose hip, sandalwood and black tea notes weave around. Shows a rather serious tug of iron at the end, adding grip and depth that sets this apart from the pack. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2040.