Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot

Region: France, Bordeaux, Margaux

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (53%), Merlot (43%) & Petit Verdot (4%)

Tasting notes: In its depth and intensity, the robe of Château Palmer 2019 recalls the purple of Tyre. From the first aromas escaping the glass we are captivated: notes of black fruits and the most precious spices mingle in a bouquet of extraordinary complexity that will continue to reveal itself over time. The texture lives up to the Cru’s reputation: an endless carnal sensation pervades our palate, revealing tannins of subtle finesse yet remarkable depth. This Château Palmer, anchored very deeply in its terroir, is built to defy time.

Reviews

James Suckling - 99 Points: “So much sweet tobacco, stone, brambleberry and currant on the nose. The palate is full and compact with very polished tannins, yet they are solid and sturdy and run the length and width of the wine. Energetic acidity. Very structured and powerful, yet agile and impressive. Historic feel. From biodynamically grown grapes. This needs at least six years of bottle age to soften. Try after 2027.”

Vinous - 99 Points: “The 2019 Palmer is beautifully defined on the nose with pencil lead infused black fruit, crushed stone, and hints of pressed flowers. Amazingly well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and exquisitely sculpted tannins, unerring symmetry with a crescendo towards the utterly harmonious and persistent finish. This exudes a sense of completeness. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.”

Decanter - Jane Anson - 98 Points: “Iris and violet aromatics swirl out of the glass. In the mouth, things are velvet in texture and packed with concentrated cassis puree and blackberry fruit, gentle spice, soft charcoal and sappy tannins, with the whole thing just slowly expanding and building through the palate, tightening its grip as it reaches the close of play. The Palmer signature of energy and precision is here in spades, and altogether the wine is both measured and elegant, with textbook floral Margaux character, while being extremely juicy, creamy and enjoyable, with a mouthwatering salinity on the finish - up there with the very best vintages of this estate. Low SO2, as has been the case for a few years now in line with biodynamic principles. Back to normal yield this year of (a very welcome I would imagine) 45hl/ha. Harvest September 19 to October 19. 60% new oak, likely to be in barrels for the first year then large sized oak casks for the second year. 55% of overall production in the 1st wine.”

Jeb Dunnuck - 97 Points: “The 2019 Château Palmer is even richer, with a stacked, full-bodied, concentrated profile as well as beautiful notes of ripe black cherries, blackcurrants, lead pencil, tobacco leaf, and chocolate. I love its mid-palate, it has building, ripe, yet substantial tannins, tons of fat and glycerine, and a gorgeous finish. I don't think it will ultimately match the 2009, 2016, or 2018, but it's nevertheless a brilliant wine as well as one of the stars of the show from Margaux. It will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age (it already offers pleasure) and have 30-40 years of overall longevity. Best after 2022.”

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 96 Points: “The 2019 Palmer is a rich, dramatic wine that soars from the glass with aromas of cherries, blackberries and berry fruit liqueur mingled with notions of violets, rose petals and sweet spices. Full-bodied, layered and seamless, it's powerful and immensely concentrated, with an enveloping core of lively fruit that largely conceals the wine's ripe, powdery structuring tannins. Concluding with a long, penetrating finish, it's a brilliant rendition of the contemporary Palmer style from Thomas Duroux and his team. Best After 2027 Rating 96+”

Wine Spectator - 94 Points: “Shows the powerful fruit of the vintage, with waves of dark plum, warmed cassis and cherry compote flavours driving through, inlaid with a graphite edge and backed by an iron note on the finish. Features good underlying energy and everything is knit tightly, without the toothy grain typical of the vintage. Very solid. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024.”

Tasting notes: With warm, fragrant cherry characters, this is extremely attractive on the nose. The palate is expressive, with dark morello cherry and loganberry fruit and a subtle vanillin character from the use of oak. The tannins are ripe, fine grained and well-integrated. Layered and charming, this wine gives an over-riding impression of balance. Classic margaux.

Reviews 

89 points Wine Enthusiast: Big, ripe fruit emerging from soft, dusty-textured tannins makes this a wine that is already pleasurable. Black fig and plum juice fruits roll comfortably around the mouth, balancing well, and maturing quickly. (3/ 2009)

89-91/100 Wine Spectator: Lots of blackberry and liquorice character follows through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Well done."

90/100 Robert Parker - April 2015: Another truly exceptional wine from the Sichel family, the 2012 d’Angludet has a deep ruby/purple colour, a sweet floral, blueberry and blackcurrant-scented nose with a touch of liquorice, light tannins, low acidity and a nice, fleshy mouthfeel. This is a sexy, mouth-filling and satisfying wine from both a hedonistic and intellectual vantage point. Drink this sleeper of the vintage over the next decade.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Medoc

Grape variety: Merlot (46%), Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) & Petit Verdot (4%)

Winemaking process: At the end of February, the onset of the vines’ budburst almost two weeks ahead of schedule signalled the launch of what would be a very early vintage. March brought heavy rainfall, which made working the soil considerably more difficult, only to be followed by a damp spring with mild temperatures, conditions all too conducive to the spread of mildew. Throughout April and May, the vineyard would require superlative care to keep us on course for a healthy harvest. In mid-May, a return to warm, dry weather would set the stage for an ideal flowering period, raising hopes of a lovely vintage indeed.

In June, the summer weather arrived and settled in to stay. By the end of July, the berries had begun their colour change under a bright and constant sun, allowing for an early synthesis of polyphenols. Although the heat waves of August subjected the vines to a good deal of hydric stress, intense thunderstorms brought a welcome breath of fresh air: the Merlot grapes gorged themselves while the Cabernet, which weren’t as far along in their cycle, retained their small size. The return to dry weather at the end of August fostered the concentration of the tannins and marked a promising conclusion to the ripening process.

The harvest began on September 15th, with the Merlot picked in the cool of dawn and the Cabernet gathered between the drops of thundershowers. The harvest ended two weeks later on September 29th. In the vat room, the fermentations proceeded smoothly and the blending was carried out over two sessions in mid-November, for the most part during the run-off. Marked by the year’s eminently favourable climate, the 2020 vintage of Château Palmer is on par with 2018 in terms of structure, boasting sunny Merlot, fine and powerful Cabernet, and a terroir of brilliant clarity.

Tasting notes: The colour is deep and dark. The nose blends, with harmony and indulgence, fragrances of soft fruits, spiced flowers and fresh, slightly minty herbs.

Region: France, Bordeau, Medoc

Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: Dense, with dark cocoa, graphite and roasted spice notes embedded in a core of fleshy plum sauce, currant paste and blackberry confiture. The long, racy finish smoulders with dark fruit.

Region: France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (40%) & Petit Verdot (5%)

Tasting notes: This wine very elegant blackish colour boasts all the characteristics of a great vintage. The bouquet is appealing. On the palate the explosion of strawberry, blackberry and raspberry flavours combines with light, pleasantly silky tannins. The overall impression is smooth and fruity. The finesse of the cabernets and the roundness of the merlots once again turn out to be perfectly complementary. This is a great, racy wine, a perfect expression of its deep-gravel terroir and a wine that offers a new dimension.

The nose is very expressive, with ripe red fruit aromas as well as spicy nuances. The middle palate is velvety and full-bodied with rich, smooth tannin. This is a wine of substance, with a great balance between ripe aromatics, finesse, elegance and a long aftertaste.

Reviews

James Suckling: 'Love the aromas of currants and black cherries with blackberries and sandalwood. Full body, round and soft tannins and a savoury finish. Shows brightness of fruit and intensity. Attractive balance. Drink in 2021.'

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 'Medium garnet-purple in colour, the 2015 Olivier is a little reticent at this youthful stage, offering exciting glimpses at fragrant earth, black raspberries, black cherries and red currant scents with suggestions of mossy bark, bay leaves and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with mineral and earth-laced red and black fruits with firm, grainy tannins and a lovely herbal lift on the finish.'

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Julien

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (35%) & Petit Verdot (3%)

Background: Bruno Borie explained that St Julien had a little less rain than its neighbours, so the resulting berries are very small, up to 15% below average. This effect, combined with a later harvest, has maximised ripeness, creating Bruno’s richest ever vintage for tannins and sugars – yet this is brilliantly supple and full of cedar, spice and pepper notes.

Tasting notes: Powerful, silky, and very aromatic, La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou beguiles with its bouquet, its balance, its remarkable finesse and its lengthy finish.

Review: 92/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, March 2021: "The 2018 La Croix de Beaucaillou is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, aged 12 months in two-third new barriques. It has a pH of 3.75, 15% alcohol and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 96. Deep garnet-purple coloured, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blueberries, baked plums and blackcurrant cordial with hints of bouquet garni, underbrush, clove oil and cast-iron pan. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing earthy. Not a second wine as such, because it comes from a dedicated part of the vineyard, the blocks for La Croix de Beaucaillou are generally located on the south bank of the La Mouline steam."

Region: France, Margaux

Grape variety: 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot & 5% Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: Endowed with a beautiful intense ruby colour, this Margaux delivers a pleasant bouquet of spicy notes and black fruits. In the mouth the wine is concentrated, generous without being capricious, very expressive, supported by high quality tannins which sign a persistent finish. An elegant, expressive Grand Vin of great distinction, the product of an exceptional terroir and crafted with care.

The Sichel range comprises wines that are representative of the label of origin and vinified with the highest levels of competence but which remain affordable. They are quality wines produced to bring guaranteed pleasure. This wine stands out thanks to the richness and elegance usually found in the first-label of Margaux wines. Generous bouquet of red fruits, spicy, earthy notes, vanilla and masterfully restrained toastiness. Beautifully smooth mouthfeel, elegant but with plump fruit and moderate tannins.

Food pairing: A great match for a fine cut of grilled meat or a well-garnished cheese board, but whatever the case over any informal meal.

Region: France, Gascogne

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne rouge is remarkably well balanced, showing intense fruit flavours married with subtle, toasty oak. Very approachable, easy drinking but with lots of class and depth. A bouquet of aromas, combining blackcurrant, dried strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and hints of clove. Supple and fresh, an array of fruit is also expressed on the palate.

Food pairing: This wine will pair easily with all styles of cuisine and offers fantastic quality at an everyday price.

Awards

Concours des Feminalises 2018 - Gold

Region: France, Bordeaux, Margaux

Grape variety: Merlot (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) & Petit Verdot (10%)

Background: Château d'Angludet is a wine estate in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux's northern Médoc wine region. La Réserve d`Angludet is the new name that has been given to the second wine from Château Angludet.

Aging: 12 month of ageing, 50% barrels (30% new french oak) & 50% amphorae

Tasting notes: Fine deep cassis berry flavours with gentle rounded tannins.

This cuvee stands out thanks to the richness and elegance usually found in the first-label of Margaux wines. A deep garnet hue with deep purple tints and a generous bouquet, where red fruits harmonise perfectly with spicy, earthy notes, vanilla and masterfully restrained toastiness. The well balanced palate displays smooth, lingering extract, prolonged by an aromatic back-of-palate of blackcurrant and violet.

Region: France, Pauillac

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: Deep, darkly pigmented ruby-red colour holds well to the rim. Cassis aromas are overlaid by notes of coffee, toasty oak & graphite. The palate is quite lean & introverted with lively cassis & dark plum complimented by cedary, graphite flavours. The wine is elegant rather than opulent. The wine is of medium to full body & the tannins are not big, but the structure is fine, grainy, cedary & dense. Alcohol is well in balance & the finish is lean & long, combining fresh black-fruit with cedary notes

Region: France, Margaux

Grape variety: 54% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot

Tasting notes: Although the alcoholic degree is very high, like in 2009, the acidity synonymous with freshness - and tannic concentration are greater, making for wines with an extremely solid foundation. Their power, combined with a high level of acidity, gives them the potential for becoming benchmarks, and for this to be a legendary vintage. Furthermore, as opposed to previous vintages of the century that are responsible for Bordeaux’s reputation, the ability to choose exactly the right time to pick and perfect control of extraction made it possible to temper the wines' strength and vigor. They are like a finely cut diamond that, over time, will fully express all the delicacy of Chateau Palmer's terroir.

Critical Acclaim

98 Points - James Suckling: 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.

98 Points – Decanter: 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. Harvest September 22 to October 20.

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast: While outwardly this wine is generous and opulent with great juicy sweetness, the core is structured and powerful. The wine is concentrated and complex, with dark tannins and a brooding, dense texture. This is a wine with a long-lived future. Cellar Selection

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Deep garnet in colour, the 2010 Palmer rolls out of the glass with warm cassis, baked plums and boysenberries scents plus hints of candied violets, star anise and dried bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is generously fruited, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long. Rating: 96+

96 Points - Wine Spectator: This is riveting, with terrific tarry grip coursing underneath layers of smoldering bay leaf, warm plum confiture, freshly brewed espresso, dark cassis and well-steeped black tea. The charcoal and tobacco backdrop is gorgeous and should move forward through the core of fruit over time. Be patient though, as the structure is ironclad. This will really be electric once mature. Best from 2017 through 2040.