2008 Palmer
By Chateau Palmer
2008 Palmer from Chateau Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux
It is a Herculean task to articulate the calibre and finesse of the 2008 Palmer from Chateau Palmer — a Bordeaux fittingly held in great esteem by oenophiles and investors alike. The '08 vintage stands with dignity among its brethren, known for its adroitness in enduring a challenging growing season in Margaux, yielding wines whose complexity and longevity are most admirable.
An Ode to Ambidexterity: Navigating 2008's Climatic Tightrope
The 2008 vintage in Bordeaux was not for the faint-hearted vintner. Characterised by a capricious climate that stretched vine-growers’ expertise, it began with a wet spring and proceeded to a summer that mixed hailstorms with delightful sunshine in the final ripening weeks. This climatic roller coaster called for astute precision in the vineyard and sagacity in the cellar—virtues that Chateau Palmer possesses in abundance.
The 2008 Palmer is notably reflective of its birth year. It encapsulates an elegance emerging from adversity, boasting a tapestry of tannins that have softened gracefully, accompanying a bouquet redolent of dark fruits, hints of cedar and an undercurrent of florality typical to Margaux terroir. A well-structured yet supple palate whispers stories of meticulously selected and vinified berries.
Investment Merits with an Air of Understated Complexity
The tenacity of this vintage translates into compelling investment opportunities; the 2008 Palmer is one such gem. Its deft balance between power and poise makes it an endearing candidate for mid- to long-term cellaring. As time unravels the full narrative of this wine's depth and detail, investors will witness a confluence of Margaux elegance and 2008's distinctive vigour.
In summary, the 2008 vintage of Palmer from Chateau Palmer is a profound testament to what seasoned vignerons can achieve under capricious skies. A tasting now reveals layers of nuanced maturity, which promise to burgeon over time, ensuring that enthusiasts and investors alike will be richly rewarded for their patience. As this wine strides confidently into its second decade, it reaffirms its place among the pantheon of Margaux’s fine vintages—a beacon for those who revere the alchemy between nature’s challenges and human craftsmanship.
Market price (USD)
$2,685.76
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
146.67
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. Two bottles of Chateau Palmer were opened. It has a very sophisticated, but slightly broody bouquet with blackberry cassis, graphite and a little more earthiness than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine delineation, tightly knit with superb focus and sense of harmony. Crisp, sinewy and multi-faceted, this is a great Palmer for the vintage and a serious contender for the best wine of the appellation. Bravo. Tasted January 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Mar 2012
A stunning success for the vintage, and possibly the Margaux of the year, this wine, which achieved 13.5% natural alcohol, is a blend of 51% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. Loads of barbecue smoke, licorice, incense, blackberry, new saddle leather and forest floor notes jump from the glass of this dense, purple-colored wine. Extraordinarily intense and full-bodied, with plenty of tannin, but not the formidable structure of the 2010, this is going to be one of the longest-lived wines of 2008. It is full, rich, layered, and should be reasonably approachable with 3-4 years of bottle age, and will also keep for 30+ years.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 1 May 2011
Palmer knows what to do. Plenty of blackberry and licorice aromas and flavors follow through to full body, with chewy tannins and a vanilla, cedar and chocolate aftertaste. Needs time to mellow. Layered and beautiful. Best after 2012.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, December 20th 2010