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At the time, Madame de Gasq could not have imagined how the brilliant General was to transform the property into one of the most renowned châteaux in Margaux.
Over the next four decades, the General invested his fortune in Palmer, extending the property by buying plots of neighbouring vineyards and creating a truly exceptional Cru. By the time Palmer was sold to the Péreire banking brothers in 1853, it was a fitting testimony to the General's passion and commitment. The new owners were no less remarkable; among the achievements of these leading 19th century entrepreneurs was the reconstruction of Paris under the direction of Haussmann and Napoleon 111, the creation of Arcachon, one of the smartest new resorts on the South West Coast near Bordeaux and the ownership of a railway company. They too devoted a large part of their fortune to Palmer, commissioning the architect Burguet in 1856 to build the elegant cháteaux we see today with its unmistakable towers.
The depression of 1930 forced them to relinquish the now somewhat neglected property, which was bought by three families of Bordeaux négociants - Sichel from Britain, Mähler-Besse from Holland and Ginestet-Miahle from Bordeaux itself.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of these families vintage after vintage, Palmer's reputation and prosperity were restored by the 1970s and today the property is justly seen as one of the finest in Bordeaux.
In the renaissance of Château Palmer, however, one other family - the Chardons - deserves a special mention. Pierre Chardon (1903-1994) along with his son Claude were responsible for much of the restoration and imporovement in the vineyards, while Yves Chardon, Pierre's other son was Maître de Chai. Claude and Yves Chardon retired in 1996.
The property is now managed by Frenchman Thomas Duroux who took over the helm as Director of Château Palmer in July 2004 after co-owner Bertrand Bouteiller (65) who have worked with Palmer since he was 22 years old. Though times and faces change, the heritage and quality of this truly Grand Cru remain the priority of all those involved with Château Palmer.
The vineyard is situated on a gentle rolling hill in Margaux, renowned for its gravel soil and well-drained sub soil. The grapes, the winemaking techniques, and aging in oak barrels helps attain a balance between Palmer's finesse and the concentration of Margaux.
For more information; click here for Chateau-Palmer.com and here for The Daily Palmer (Chateau Palmer's own blog)
  
Facts & Figures
Area under vine
52 hectares
Production
130,000 bottles of Chateau Palmer
60,000 bottles of Alter Ego de Palmer (second wine)
Soil
The vineyards of Château Palmer are planted on outstanding Garonne gravel soil on rises in Margaux and Cantenac. The gentle slopes provide excellent natural drainage.
The pebbles were deposited by the Dordogne and Garonne rivers during the Quatenary Period. They form a 3-4 meter layer consisting of: black lyddite, white chalcedony (or pudding stone) and brittle stone such as glass, white and cream-colored quartz, as well as green, blue, and black- marbled quartzite.
Grape varieties
47% Cabernet Sauvignon
47% Merlot
6% Petit Verdot
Ageing
Between 20 and 21 months for Château Palmer, using 45% new oak
Second wine
Alter Ego de Palmer
Ageing
Between 16-17 months for Alter Ego de Palmer, using 20% new oak
Winemaker
Philippe Delfault
Wines available
All wines sold by BDXV come direct from Bordeaux and have been stored at the Chateaux or in professional storage facilities since the time of bottling. BDXV’s wines have never ever been in the hands of private collectors. This gives you the customer the highest level of quality guarantee that the wines you buy have been stored in optimal conditions since the time they were bottled.
Chateau Palmer 2005, EUR POA*
Score: 97 points. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2045.
Robert Parker: 97 points
April 2008: This spectacular offering should continue to improve, and may merit an even higher score after additional aging. Stunningly rich and powerful, the dark purple-tinged 2005 Palmer is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. Aromas of incense, burning embers, black currants, plums, licorice, and flowers are followed by a full-bodied Margaux with more weight and power even than its nearby first-growth rival, Chateau Margaux. The abundant acidity and tannins are beautifully coated by the wine’s exceptional fruit extract and overall harmony and richness. It is so concentrated that one is hard pressed to find even a hint of new oak.
April 2007: Produced from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot (only 50% of the total crop was used), the 2005 Palmer boasts an amazing 14% natural alcohol. New administrator Thomas Duroux (formerly of Ornellaia in Tuscany) has fashioned a true classic. Creme de cassis, camphor, earth, licorice, and spicy oak characteristics emerge from this sensationally rich, full-bodied Margaux. With terrific texture, awesome intensity, high but sweet tannin, and refreshing, well-integrated acidity, this wine will be at its finest between 2015-2050+.
April 2006: A classic vin de garde as well as a Palmer for the ages, the 2005 will last for 40-50 years. Representing 50% of the production, it is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. An inky/blue/purple color is accompanied by a beautiful bouquet of flowers, cassis, spice box, forest floor, and subtle wood. Boasting extraordinary intensity, a huge entry on the palate, full body, high tannin, and good underlying acidity, this is a massive as well as exquisitely elegant, pure effort.
Jancis Robinson: 17.5+ points
Very dark crimson. Lift and perfume. Very supple start, with sweetness and quite obvious Cabernet Sauvignon rigour (53 per cent) plus seven per cent Petit Verdot. A bit severe with sandy tannins on the finish. Just a little hole on the mid palate at the moment. Well crafted but I wouldn’t have minded just a little more acidity. 14 per cent – without chaptalisation of course – a record for Palmer. Beautiful texture and winemaking; I’m just looking for a little more flavour at this point.
Chateau Palmer 2000, EUR POA*
Score: 96 points. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030.
Robert Parker: 96 points
This has turned out to be a prodigious Palmer. The saturated purple color offers up sexy, full-bodied, almost masculine notes of roasted meats, blackberries, and creme de cassis intermixed with notions of toast, smoke, and camphor. Only 50% of the production made it into the 2000, a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. The wine is opulent, rich, and full-bodied, with tannin that has become sweeter with age. Its best showing yet, most importantly, has been from bottle. This is a great Palmer that should rival the best of recent vintages, which have all been stunning, as this estate continues to go from strength to strength.
Jancis Robinson: 18/20 points
Bright, dark crimson. Heady, confident, Margaux nose that suggests something way above third growth status. Very gentle texture. Lovely opulence on the front of the palate, followed by chewy tannins. Round. Not overdone. Great balance.
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