Description
Gabriel:
Drinking maturity (2018 - 2040)
Rating 18/20
James Sichel:
Very ripe Cabernet with an alcohol content never before seen at Palmer. We have never experienced anything like this, not even in the great years of 1989 and 1990. The best cuvées had 13.3 % vol. This year's Palmer consists of 60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 % Merlot and 5 % Cabernet Franc. A good harvest, the same quantity as last year, i.e. around 15,000 cases.
It fought its way quite successfully through the floating Havana clouds. The nose was rather discreet but with a very noble approach. The palate is rather slender, with plenty of red berry contours and well-supporting, still semi-young tannins. The acidity is already perfectly integrated and the initial Burgundy-like drinking pleasure is sufficiently present. For me, it was a partial readjustment of this vintage, because a week ago this 1996 of all wines was corked at the big Palmer vertical in Bonn. (18/20). 14: We drank it at the Saprien restaurant in Sauternes after the great 2013 tasting at Suduiraut. In first maturity, through its terroir flavours, tobacco and sultanas. Very elegant on the palate. A real pleasure to drink now.
vvWine: 95/100
After more than 25 years, this wine from 1996 still has a youthful colour in the glass, with hardly any perceptible signs of age. The nose is fragrant, fresh, shows cassis, spices, black cherries, tobacco, cedar wood, violets, very complex. The palate is mature to the point, still fresh and with a wonderful acid structure, the tannins are finely interwoven with the delicate fruit, the finish is long-lasting and harmonious. Filigree and surprisingly youthful, has reserves for another 15 years.
