Palmer

History of Château Palmer

The history of Château Palmer begins in 1814 when British Major Charles Palmer acquired the property from Marie de Gasq. This visionary soldier, enchanted by the beauty of the place and the promise of exceptional wines, decided to give his name to the estate, thus beginning its ascent to fame. Although he contributed to expanding and modernising the vineyard, his excessive spending forced him to sell the estate in 1843.

The Pereire brothers, influential bankers of the time, then took over Château Palmer. These two major figures of the French economy, famous for their role in the Haussmannian transformation of Paris, invested in the estate, notably building the magnificent château with its emblematic turrets. However, despite their efforts, they failed to have Château Palmer included among the first growths in the famous 1855 classification, where it inherited the position of 3rd classified growth.

It was in 1938 that Château Palmer experienced a new turning point with its acquisition by four influential families from the Bordeaux wine trade: the Ginestet, Miailhe, Mähler-Besse and Sichel families. These families, who are still at the helm of the estate today, have managed to keep Château Palmer at the top, under the enlightened direction of Thomas Duroux since 2004. The latter has raised the reputation of this great growth to unprecedented heights, thanks to innovative winemaking methods and a conversion to biodynamics that is now the pride of the estate.

Chateau Palmer's legendary 1961 vintage is rated 100/100 by Robert Parker, while 2016, 2009, 2018 and 2015 are rated 98/100. The 2017, 2005, 2020 and 1989, with 97/100, confirm the reputation of this vintage among the best in Margaux.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Palmer

The terroir of Château Palmer, situated on the left bank, is exceptional, and it is this unique soil that gives the wines their inimitable character. The vineyard, spread over 66 hectares, is mainly composed of Pyrenean gravel, these stony soils that ensure perfect natural drainage, essential for vine cultivation. This first layer of 30 cm of sandy gravel is followed by a layer of clay gravel, which itself rests on new sandy gravel. This subsoil acts as a natural drip system, allowing the vine to never suffer from drought, a crucial element in the consistency of production.

The vineyard is divided into two main areas: one, close to the Gironde estuary, brings finesse and elegance; the other, rich in clay, confers power and depth to the wines. This clever blend of terroirs is the key to the balance and complexity of Château Palmer wines.

The estate's grape varieties are dominated by Merlot (47%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (47%), with a touch of Petit Verdot (6%). This significant proportion of Merlot is rare in the Margaux appellation, but it is precisely this grape variety that gives Château Palmer wines their opulence and silky texture.

Winemaking at Château Palmer

The winemaking process at Château Palmer is a perfect alliance between modernity and respect for traditions. Each plot is vinified separately, allowing for optimal precision in the expression of terroirs. After the harvest, the grapes are transported in small crates to avoid crushing. They then go through several sorting stages, including optical sorting, to guarantee impeccable quality of the berries.

The grapes are then gravity-fed into truncated cone-shaped stainless steel vats, where fermentation takes place between 26 and 30°C. A robot is used to spray the cap of marc homogeneously, to ensure a delicate extraction of tannins. This phase is essential to give the wine its muscular structure and fine tannins, characteristic of Palmer wines.

Château Palmer also places great importance on ageing. The wines are aged for 20 to 21 months in new barrels, 50 to 70% for the grand vin, and 25 to 40% for Alter Ego, the second wine. Fining with egg whites is carried out before bottling to provide ultimate clarification.

Finally, the biodynamic certification obtained in 2018 reflects the estate's commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture. This conversion, which began in 2009, has allowed Château Palmer to explore new dimensions in the quality and expression of its wines.

The cuvées of Château Palmer

Château Palmer

The grand vin of Château Palmer embodies the elegance and complexity of great Margaux wines. Rich in Merlot, this wine is distinguished by its opulence, roundness and velvety texture. Aromas of black fruits, spices and violets unfold over time to reveal more complex notes of leather, truffle and flowers. The vintages of 1961, 1983 and 1989 remain absolute references for collectors and fine wine enthusiasts. As it ages, Château Palmer develops exceptional depth and length on the palate, with perfectly integrated tannins.

Alter Ego de Palmer

Alter Ego is not a second wine in the strict sense, but rather a separate cuvée, produced from specific plots of the vineyard. This wine is more accessible when young, with crisp red fruit aromas, supple tannins and remarkable freshness. It is distinguished by its more casual style, but retains the elegant signature of Château Palmer. It is a wine for immediate pleasure, full of finesse and balance.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years are 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, symbolising Bordeaux excellence.

We invite you to discover the various Third Growth Classified Châteaux, true treasures of the Bordeaux region. Set out to encounter the great terroirs of Margaux with the prestigious Château Boyd-Cantenac, Château Cantenac Brown, Château Desmirail, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château d'Issan, Château Kirwan, Château Malescot Saint Exupéry, Château Marquis d'Alesme and Château Palmer. Continue your journey with the wines of Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe, Château Lagrange and Château Langoa Barton in Saint-Julien, not forgetting the finesse of Château La Lagune in the Haut-Médoc. Each estate promises you an unforgettable experience, reflecting the art of Médoc wines.

Château Palmer is an emblematic estate of the Margaux appellation, combining ancestral know-how and bold innovations. Thanks to its exceptional terroirs and unique grape varieties, it produces wines of incomparable quality, recognised for their opulence, complexity and finesse. Under the direction of Thomas Duroux, the estate has renewed its commitment to excellence, notably through the conversion to biodynamics, while remaining faithful to its heritage.

Whether you are a lover of great wines for ageing or looking for a Margaux ready to be tasted, Château Palmer offers cuvées that will seduce the most demanding palates. Thanks to its respect for the terroir and its careful winemaking methods, Château Palmer continues to establish itself as an essential reference in the world of great Bordeaux wines.