2010 Chateau Palmer, Margaux, Bottle (750ml)

RP98+ "The 2010 Palmer is one of the superstars of the vintage, a blend of 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, which is just slightly different than what I indicated two years ago. The alcohol level hit 14.5%, and the wine comes across like a more stacked-and-packed version of their 2000. It is tannic and backward, but has a sensational black/purple color and a gorgeous nose of camphor, barbecue smoke, blackberry and cassis. Full-bodied, with oodles of glycerin but a relatively healthy pH, this wine has a precision and freshness that belie its lofty alcohol and extravagant concentration. This is a sensationally rich, full-throttle Palmer that could well end up being one of the all-time great wines made at this estate. It needs a good 7-10 years of cellaring and should keep for 50 or more years." RP Feb 2013

JA98 "Inky purple in colour. This begs to be taken slowly, as even visually you can see that the texture is rich and velvety and will benefit from a few more years softening in bottle. Dark chocolate and orange zest on the nose, this performs the levitating trick of heading upwards through your palate with mouthwatering acidities while pulling you downwards towards the tannins that are underpinning the whole experience. In between the two you find cassis, bilberry, raspberry and strawberry puree, just a whole array of pure, chiselled but juicy fruits.This is living up to promise, but needs more time, still a trace of austerity on the finish right now, even though the complexity and the layers are hard to resist. Sculpted, intense and concentrated. Harvest September 22 to October 20 - a full leisurely month, mirrored by the unhurried pace that this takes through your palate." JA for IB Dec 2021

JS98 "A purity of fruit here with plum and dark chocolate undertones. Spices and treacle tart as well. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. Very fine indeed. Fit, fruity and reserved. Superb." JS Feb 2013

DR98 "One of the great years of Bordeaux now at 10 years old and showing why this is such an unusual vintage in terms of the depth of structure and muscular concentration that was achieved. In fact, I am upping the drinking window from the last time I tasted this, as there is such a pulse of life and grip that shows no signs of going anywhere. The initial layers are starting to be peeled back, but this retains primary black and blue fruits that are still full of flesh alongside baked earth, tons of liquorice and black chocolate with a grippy tannic structure, fresh acidities and a serious attitude. Brilliant stuff, that is clearly going to power on for decades." JA for DR Aug 2020

Robert Parker writes, "There’s no question that Thomas Duroux and the staff at Palmer are producing wines of first-growth quality, and have been for nearly a decade." Published: Feb 27, 2013