Château Palmer 2025

Palmer’s bouquet is deep and complex: an entire basket of dark berries mingles with freshly picked thyme and violet blossoms. Dense and fleshy on the attack, it becomes sleeker through the mid-palate, more lifted and vertical; the ripe fruit goes head-to-head with a massive tannic structure. The tannins are perfectly ripe, giving grip and carrying the wine into an elegant, red-fruited finish. Monumental, powerful yet fresh, this is one of the most striking—and at the same time most paradoxical—Palmers I have ever tasted.

Strongly perfumed aromatics, really quite intense and upfront, so expressive but more deep and seductive with heady scents of roses and blackcurrants. Instantly alive in the mouth, there’s an energy here that’s really captivating. Chewy, succulent, light on its feel but packing so many tannins yet it feels seamless. Aerial almost but there’s complexity with a fine layer of chewiness and chalkiness. Perhaps more delicate in some ways than other more plush Palmers but there’s power for sure wrapped up in freshness and approachability. Sturdy, stately, complex. I do love the darker, maybe more firm, edgy wine. Quite a compelling Palmer for me, more than just fruit and acidity. 14% press wine. 85 IPT. Harvest September 4–26.

Iris, violets, and roses might start the aromatics, but that's not all there is, as you also find cherries, currants, dried flowers, and hints of spice, which are all front and center. The palate, however, is the star of the show. The combination of vibrant, sweet, ripe, clean, and pure fruits, coupled with its vivid energy, drives the long, seamless, elegant, and sensuous finish. There is concentration and power, but everything is so refined that it is not something you notice. The finish starts off slowly, building into a crescendo of perfectly ripe fruits. The key to the vintage was the late-August rains, which allowed for lower ABV and better fruit maturity. The wine blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 41% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 13.5 % ABV, 3.7 pH. The yields were small at 20 hectoliters. The harvest took place from September 4 to September 25. This is the earliest start to a harvest in the history of the estate. Drink from 2030-2070. 98-100 Pts

Clear spice—cumin, cloves, incense—wonderfully balanced, with an extremely slow unroll across the palate. A dominant floral Cabernet character with crushed rose petals, and the aromatics are absolutely leaping from the glass. 3.65 pH, harvest September 8 to 24. In terms of the blend, 1998 had more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon in Palmer, so that is a good sign. Director: Thomas Duroux. The soils here have that gravel layer, but also clay, which is really helpful in dry vintages such as 2025.

Palmer’s bouquet reveals itself with the elegance for which it is known, through aromas of redcurrant and violet, followed by hints of orange peel, Sichuan pepper and liquorice. Smooth on the attack, the wine then follows an elegant, subtle progression. It favours finesse while drawing on tannins that bring vigour and breadth, supported by a incisive, mouth-watering acidity that lends freshness. A Palmer that asserts its identity, its uniqueness, its desire to shine through delicacy, grace, serenity and humility. It knows it is great, yet it lets everyone come to that conclusion on their own. When finesse rises above power, greatness needs no proof!

Deep black color. The nose is intense, refined, fruity and subtle, with notes of blackberry and blueberry over a backdrop of vanilla and fruit slow-cooked in a cauldron. Ultra-fleshy on the attack, with a supple, mellow flow and dazzling fruit, rich in flavor; the wine develops with a caressing feel before gaining structure on the finish. This is where it turns fresher and more floral, set against a very paradoxical dark-fruit background. Impossible to spit out! Blend: 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 13.5% - pH: 3.70. Yield: 20 hl/ha.